Anthony Martial

deadrevelz · Apr 1, 2019

Ideally we would have a more suitable player on the left. I would try Rashford there with Martial in the middle and Sancho on the right if we can get him. If that doesn't work we probably need a better left winger like CHO.

However I'm still hopeful that Ole can coach him and Rashford better this summer. Movement, energy, crossing key points for Martial. Maybe fitness too... he showed a lot more explosive wing play in his debut season.

Jeffthered · Apr 1, 2019

abdo99 said:
This. That guy chats a lot on nonsense regarding martial- I wouldn't waste my time reply to him.
We just had 4 players reaching 10+ goals which happened like 6/7 times for any team in the PL era . One of which was 2012/13 the last time we won the league. Whether people likes it or not we're not the United that was challenging for the PL yet and squad has clear holes in 3/4 vital positions yet some will have you believe the likes of Martial and Rashford is holding us back. What a nonsense. Btw no-one ever said their perfect.

Anthony MArtial is considered on here as a potential Ballon D'Or winner ok. So don't blame those (like me..) who may question that. A Man Utd forward scored 10 Prem goals, and we are happy? That's the United you expect from our forwards? Because I don't and we can agree to disagree on that if you like.

Anthony Martial has yet to show the consistency, and improvement in his all-round game, to convince me, that he is our left-sided attacking forward 'answer'. Could he be? I no longer know... but potential wise, he could be what he wishes to be. But he has to step up another level in my opinion.

Look at his game on Saturday and ask yourself whether you were surprised.

I watch him and think 'does Anthony Martial really want to be United's outstanding player.. week in, week out...'.

Does he play a game that suggests he does?

MyOnlySolskjaer · Apr 1, 2019

AgentP said:
Martial has been here for close to 4 years now. I honestly think he has not improved at all since he joined us. His first season was his best for us and since then he has been inconsistent throughout. Do you guys agree? And if so why do you think he has not improved?

Unpopular but I think this season has been his best.

el3mel · Apr 1, 2019

He's definitely a good player with good potential. He's just extremely overrated by some here, that's all.

reddev3 · Apr 1, 2019

MyOnlySolskjaer said:
Unpopular but I think this season has been his best.

He did single handedly keep Mourinhio in a job at one point. Although some might see that as reason for it being his worse season with us :lol:

MikeKing · Apr 1, 2019

I hope we'll try him as a striker eventually. Think he'll be good there.

charlenefan · Apr 1, 2019

MikeKing said:
I hope we'll try him as a striker eventually. Think he'll be good there.

His movement is extremely poor, he's better with the ball at his feet running at people, not really a trait of a traditional number 9

Patrick08 · Apr 1, 2019

deadrevelz said:
he showed a lot more explosive wing play in his debut season.

In a completely different play style, and that where his strengths lie, in a more possession based creative approach with the ball. His game is not developed without it.

MikeKing · Apr 1, 2019

charlenefan said:
His movement is extremely poor, he's better with the ball at his feet running at people, not really a trait of a traditional number 9

I know. Its problematic. Only we have mostly seen his movement as a winger last years, so I do wonder. I just think he has that striker instinct inside the box and it feels like a long time ago since he regularly got in the box enough. I don't care a lot for his current playmaking type of role on the wing with the occasional outside run. If you are going to use him like that you might as well get him in the box as a striker to finish off chances. He has showed decent holdup play at times.

Andersons Dietician · Apr 1, 2019

MikeKing said:
I hope we'll try him as a striker eventually. Think he'll be good there.

I’m intrigued to see what Oles plans are with he and Rashford especially if Lukaku kicks on but think it’s been quite intresting how he has played both Martial and Rashford with a false 9 in Lingard or Mata at times and wonder if maybe he is considering going against the CAF’s hopes of a RW and getting someone like a Griezmann, Dybala, Fekir, Felix or maybe Sancho could play the role.
Would get Martial in the box more you would hope but still he needs to show more predatory instincts for me and a willingness to get himself in the goal scoring positions.

Sterling Archer · Apr 1, 2019

Really don't understand being critical of him in a shite match where Watford outpossessed us. If anything he showed tremendous desire to actually get back up off the ground and put the ball in the net on the play for his goal.

MikeKing · Apr 1, 2019

Andersons Dietician said:
I’m intrigued to see what Oles plans are with he and Rashford especially if Lukaku kicks on but think it’s been quite intresting how he has played both Martial and Rashford with a false 9 in Lingard or Mata at times and wonder if maybe he is considering going against the CAF’s hopes of a RW and getting someone like a Griezmann, Dybala, Fekir, Felix or maybe Sancho could play the role.
Would get Martial in the box more you would hope but still he needs to show more predatory instincts for me and a willingness to get himself in the goal scoring positions.

The good thing is that we'll have plenty of time to figure it out now that he is signed up. Feel there is a lot more to come from him next couple of years. If Ole can figure out a way for him to play in our setup that makes him more of a consistent goalscorer, which I think he can be then I'll be very happy. Not to say Martial haven't got a lot to work on still, he has.

I think Van Gaal bought Martial because he is a specialist/repetition type of player. He isn't a player who needs a lot of freedom and you don't want to have him make decisions with time on the ball a lot, you want him in a specific dangerous situation over and over. Kind of like Henry. If you can find a way to get him in certain situations where he is unstoppable, and we become very good at forcing those situations many times each game, he'll not stop he'll just bang them in like a freakin robot. I think we have tried to do that a few times but not really managed to pull it off for a sustained amount of time.

Silas · Apr 1, 2019

charlenefan said:
His movement is extremely poor, he's better with the ball at his feet running at people, not really a trait of a traditional number 9

To be fair, movement on the wing is quite different from movement in central areas.

Andersonson · Apr 1, 2019

I'm going to post something I've thought for some time now. I guess this will be an unpopular opinion

I think Lukaku is a better player than Martial, he is more involved and has much more presence during a match than Martial. It also seems that Lukaku and Rashford gets zero good passes from Martial.
Our wingers in general doesnt cross much, and thats where Lukakus strength is. Often during a match I see Martial has a option to do a cross, but instead he dribbles or cuts in. Leaving Lukaku frustrated.

This season Martial has 2 assists, lowest number by far from all wingers in the top 6 teams. My opinion is that he destroys more attacks than he contributes.

He has alot of pace, when e gets the ball he slows down the game and dribbles instead of just using his pace and do a cross/ create a 2v1.

If we get a RW, I think Rashford should be our main LW and Lukaku as a striker.

charlenefan · Apr 1, 2019

SS said:
To be fair, movement on the wing is quite different from movement in central areas.

Not really, both positions require running in behind which is something Martial seldom does

matherto · Apr 2, 2019

He better be on it tomorrow

Shejkus · Apr 2, 2019

He will need to play centrally eventually.
He needs the option to be able to go either right or left, by playing on the left wing he won't reach his full potential.
When Martials on the left wing everyone knows that he wants to cut in for a angle to shoot, but if played centrally he would play a more diverse game and it would be less defensive responsibilities.

Sauldogba · Apr 2, 2019

We definitely dont need a new LW.
Hes fine.
He will just never be this world class,ballon dor blah blah talent people think he will be.
He will be a very good,inconsistent player but never great.

eltigreFalcao · Apr 2, 2019

I think Martial needs some guidance and i definitely see OGS as that coach who can provide it to him, alongside the rest of the strikers currently in the squad. I think as a LW hes got the attributes and he has a lot of room for improvement. But he's not just one for the future, he is doing ok in the present although he needs to tweak some parts of his game. Hopefully OGS can coach him into a deadly striker.

I find really interesting what OGS is trying when playing Rashy and Martial on the wings with a false nine. Te more those two get into the area, the bigger the amount of goals they can rack. That same position goes well on Lukaku as he is also fast (not as much) and can score from different places. Also I can imagine Sanchez playing in that middle position if he ever gets back to his known level.

To that attack I would only add (and most definitely wish we do) that Jadon Sancho. Then it will be unstoppable.

amolbhatia50k · Apr 2, 2019

Jeffthered said:
Anthony MArtial is considered on here as a potential Ballon D'Or winner ok. So don't blame those (like me..) who may question that. A Man Utd forward scored 10 Prem goals, and we are happy? That's the United you expect from our forwards? Because I don't and we can agree to disagree on that if you like.

Anthony Martial has yet to show the consistency, and improvement in his all-round game, to convince me, that he is our left-sided attacking forward 'answer'. Could he be? I no longer know... but potential wise, he could be what he wishes to be. But he has to step up another level in my opinion.

Look at his game on Saturday and ask yourself whether you were surprised.

I watch him and think 'does Anthony Martial really want to be United's outstanding player.. week in, week out...'.

Does he play a game that suggests he does?

I wasn't surprised by his performance this past Saturday because A) it was an absolutely dreadful team peformance. Shambolic stuff. B) he has been injured a fair bit and deserves a bit of time to reach full title. Regardless he did get a goal and create some good openings.

As for Martial is general, I think he's a fantastic young player. His numbers despite spending a good few years under a manager that didn't back him and develop him properly, are very good. In that context, his numbers are impressive for his age. He does of course have things to work on. For example his dribbling goes from absolutely phenomenal to shackled and inhibited. And his movement and urgency definitely needs to be improved. But that's often the case for young players. Salah was nothing great at 23 nor was Mane. Rahsford is 21 and has to work on his tough and ability in tight spaces. You rarely get 23 year olds who are complete. And in a more fluid, cohesive team which doesn't produce pathetic midfield and defence displays as we did on Saturday, the likes of Martial and Rahsford will only get better.

Escobar · Apr 2, 2019

He was again very immobile and static on Saturday. Shaw was running forward with the ball but instead of running into the channel, he was standing still and waiting until Shaw was next to him to pass the ball. It slows our play down and takes away momentum. His lack of movement is his biggest weakness

amolbhatia50k · Apr 2, 2019

Escobar said:
He was again very immobile and static on Saturday. Shaw was running forward with the ball but instead of running into the channel, he was standing still and waiting until Shaw was next to him to pass the ball. It slows our play down and takes away momentum. His lack of movement is his biggest weakness

He likes to drop deep and stand off defenders to get the ball and dribble at them rather than running in behind. It's something he should definitely work on. It's easier to make you when you only drop off. When it works, it does work well too, but it would add variety if he did both.

GM K · Apr 2, 2019

I think Martial has huge talent but lacks consistency, hunger and a high level of tactical awareness (he demonstrates this occasionally but not consistently enough). If he can fix these problems, he would be a beast. Surely the manager must have observed this and must be trying to help him improve.

Devil may care · Apr 2, 2019

Almost tee'd one up for McTominay but didn't have a lot of impact, in fairness though we were a shambles by the time he came on.

Shejkus · Apr 3, 2019

He should start up top vs Barcelona. Rashford on the left wing for his work rate and Lindgard on the right wing for his work rate let Martial be the one closest to the box. He can bring people in to attacks by controlling the ball nicely and pass it on. Martial is a team player and a ice cold finisher our trust should be put into him when it comes to leading the line.

fellaini's barber · Apr 3, 2019

Yeah I think I'm done with him, won't mind if he leaves. 4 years and I've seen nothing about that potential I keep hearing about. I watch the like likes of Sane, B. Silva drive in from the wings, cut inside from the left/right then pass/shoot/cross successfully every week. Martial has been struggling with this for years, messing it up 90% of the time. Has a few moments of brilliance and good periods and that's it. Overhyped

Di Maria's angel · Apr 3, 2019

His best form this season was under Mourinho. Been anonymous since Ole became caretaker.

GledTheRed · Apr 3, 2019

Mr invisible, loves a blind alley this lad.

Janson · Apr 3, 2019

Aloysius's Back 3 said:
Martial & Rashford are apparently reaching this unfulfilled potential threshold after not even a half season under ole

I can see why people used to call our fans as glory hunters

They haven't been here for half a season though.

Janson · Apr 3, 2019

Santoryo said:
Why are people comparing Martial to Kane and Aguero when the former plays as a winger while the latter two play as strikers.

It's usually the other way around when he is criticised. People revert to, but he's a striker, not a winger.

Janson · Apr 3, 2019

fellaini's barber said:
Yeah I think I'm done with him, won't mind if he leaves. 4 years and I've seen nothing about that potential I keep hearing about. I watch the like likes of Sane, B. Silva drive in from the wings, cut inside from the left/right then pass/shoot/cross successfully every week. Martial has been struggling with this for years, messing it up 90% of the time. Has a few moments of brilliance and good periods and that's it. Overhyped

I'm afraid, that's the case. I have no idea what we do about it though.

dogwithabone · Apr 3, 2019

fellaini's barber said:
Yeah I think I'm done with him, won't mind if he leaves. 4 years and I've seen nothing about that potential I keep hearing about. I watch the like likes of Sane, B. Silva drive in from the wings, cut inside from the left/right then pass/shoot/cross successfully every week. Martial has been struggling with this for years, messing it up 90% of the time. Has a few moments of brilliance and good periods and that's it. Overhyped

Agree with this.

When does potential actually come to something or when should we expect it to come to something ?

A proper world class footballer should be at the top of his profession for at least two World Cups and possibly even three. The way Martial and Rashford are going they might have one or two blistering seasons in their mid 20's but both at their stage of development now (100 + PL games) should be guaranteeing us 40 goals a season between them if they are as good as we are led to believe.

El-Manos · Apr 3, 2019

He has brilliant moment but lacks consistency for sure.

Canagel · Apr 3, 2019

Pity he wasn't fit enough to start. Wouldve gobbled up the chances yesterday. Whilst he's got room for improvement he emains our best finisher.

Raven · Apr 3, 2019

Can't believe people are criticising the performance of a player, who got 20 minutes after we were down to 10 men :houllier:

Red_toad · Apr 3, 2019

Raven said:
Can't believe people are criticising the performance of a player, who got 20 minutes after we were down to 10 men

It's not really his performance, it's the general issue with his game, seems uninterested or just doesn't want to move and create space for himself and others. It's the same old same old week in week out. Brilliant player in moments but anyone can see he does lack in many areas of the game. For me when he and Rashford were rotating for the left wing under Jose, that was his best run of form by far. Lad must need competition to kick him up the arse to perform.

Raven · Apr 3, 2019

Red_toad said:
It's not really his performance, it's the general issue with his game, seems uninterested or just doesn't want to move and create space for himself and others. It's the same old same old week in week out. Brilliant player in moments but anyone can see he does lack in many areas of the game. For me when he and Rashford were rotating for the left wing under Jose, that was his best run of form by far. Lad must need competition to kick him up the arse to perform.

I saw him run the channels multiple times yesterday? He was also trying to drive us forward from deep and create around the box. I do understand your concerns, but last night's game is a bad example if it.

JohnnyKills · Apr 3, 2019

Thought he was OK night. He was certainly taking players on and running the channels, trying to make things happen. Couldn't fault his attitude.

The bigger question is whether he's actually good enough. Sure, he's an amazing finisher, but that isn't enough. If it was, Hernández would still be with us.

How often does he beat his man? Once or twice per 90 minutes if we're lucky. The rest of the time he gets dispossessed or plays the safe ball to a teammate, which is basically a win for the defender.

He needs to use the off-season to get over his injuries and work on his game. As others have said, he probably needs to get fitter too - he might even benefit from shedding some muscle bulk, as Lukaku has.

The talent's there but at the moment, we've got an inferior version of Nani on 250k a week.

Raven · Apr 3, 2019

JohnnyKills said:
Thought he was OK night. He was certainly taking players on and running the channels, trying to make things happen. Couldn't fault his attitude.

The bigger question is whether he's actually good enough. Sure, he's an amazing finisher, but that isn't enough. If it was, Hernández would still be with us.

How often does he beat his man? Once or twice per 90 minutes if we're lucky. The rest of the time he gets dispossessed or plays the safe ball to a teammate, which is basically a win for the defender.

He needs to use the off-season to get over his injuries and work on his game. As others have said, he probably needs to get fitter too - he might even benefit from shedding some muscle book, as Lukaku has.

The talent's there but at the moment, we've got an inferior version of Nani on 250k a week.

His dribbling has been a little off this season, it's like Mourinho beat it out of him.

Where is 250k coming from?

haram · Apr 3, 2019

Raven said:
His dribbling has been a little off this season, it's like Mourinho beat it out of him.

Oh here we go...

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