Anthony Martial

Volumiza · Dec 3, 2020

Hugh Jass said:
Beginning to have doubts about him.

Admission is the first step in rehabilitation. Stay strong.

HowYouDoin · Dec 3, 2020

Hugh Jass said:
Beginning to have doubts about him.

I was there 4 years ago. I can tell you which way it goes from there.

C'mon FC · Dec 3, 2020

A great player - for Aston Villa.
Not a 1st 11 player for ManUtd. though. If he scores at least 1 - Utd. will win that game, but 2x 100% chances not made is simply not good enough. Other players also miss chances like this but either they are helping the team by creating chances or score in other matches. Both is what Martial is not doing. 0 scorers in PL, 4 in CL (2 vs Leipzig at the 5:0) 1 vs Istanbul and 1 which mattered vs Paris.
With Sancho instead of Martial the game hadn't been lost yesterday!

Chaky_Best · Dec 3, 2020

Volumiza said:
To be fair to Ole, what choices does he have currently?

You could play Greenwood right, and Rashford left.
You could play in a diamond with Cavani and Rashford upfront, Bruno in 10, and 3 of Matic, VDB, Fred, Mcto and maybe Pogba
You could play 532 with with Cavani and Rashford upfront, Bruno in 10
You could play Williams at LB and Telles at LW

Plenty of options for Martial not to play.

But I agree that the natural one would have been to have a proper winger to play right, like Sancho...

UNITED ACADEMY · Dec 3, 2020

HowYouDoin said:
I was there 4 years ago. I can tell you which way it goes from there.

Congrats.

Volumiza · Dec 3, 2020

Chaky_Best said:
You could play Greenwood right, and Rashford left.

You could play in a diamond with Cavani and Rashford upfront, Bruno in 10, and 3 of Matic, VDB, Fred, Mcto and maybe Pogba

You could play 532 with with Cavani and Rashford upfront, Bruno in 10

You could play Williams at LB and Telles at LW

Plenty of options for Martial not to play.

But I agree that the natural one would have been to have a proper winger to play right, like Sancho...

No, I get that there are ways to not have AM playing at all, that isn't what I was getting at. I was more asking what striker options he has currently. Very few.

Personally I'd have played your option 2.

jamesjimmybyrondean · Dec 3, 2020

At least on the centre he tries to make runs but Why does he always want the ball on his feet on the left? It's not like he's a good crosser or playmaker. Holding the ball and dribbling can only get you so far. He's not going to get up to 15 goals playing like that

elmo · Dec 3, 2020

Andersons Dietician said:
Bruh, Zlatan missed chance after chance when he was at United. Cavani made scoring wonder goals look easy compared to the amount of sitters he misses all through out his career from Palermo to Napoli to PSG.

Not saying they aren’t streaks ahead or Martial, they absolutely are but they all miss sitters quite frequently. Martial does need a kick up the backside and to get back to the decent finisher he was because right now clearly Cavani is the better option upfront.

Difference is that they make the runs to get multiple chances in a match whereas Martial just mopes about on the pitch until he gets his handled in a plate for him.

MattofManchester · Dec 3, 2020

El Zoido said:
But the problem is he’s a centre forward

He really isn't. He doesn't have movement or an ability to make space and pull defenders apart, composure, aerial threat or anything that would potentially make him a World Class CF. He has pace and skill by bucket loads, but he doesn't even utilize that to its full potential. He doesn't have any work ethic either, or the ability to make the right decisions consistently.

We were after a World Class CF in Haaland. Why are we sitting here debating as if Martial, now 25, has any chance of reaching that level?
He's a good player, but that's it. Not a league winner, not among the best in the world. A good player, capable of World Class "moments".
That is not the level Manchester United should be aspiring to for its first choice players.

El Zoido · Dec 3, 2020

MattofManchester said:
He really isn't. He doesn't have movement or an ability to make space and pull defenders apart, composure, aerial threat or anything that would potentially make him a World Class CF. He has pace and skill by bucket loads, but he doesn't even utilize that to its full potential. He doesn't have any work ethic either, or the ability to make the right decisions consistently.

We were after a World Class CF in Haaland. Why are we sitting here debating as if Martial, now 25, has any chance of reaching that level?
He's a good player, but that's it. Not a league winner, not among the best in the world. A good player, capable of World Class "moments".
That is not the level Manchester United should be aspiring to for its first choice players.

You’re the second person to highlight this comment. I know he isn’t a (good) centre forward, what I mean is that this is the position he plays for us, most of the time. We play him as our starting CF.

Lay · Dec 3, 2020

The knee jerk thought is to write him off. But as much as his misses annoyed me, there’s a good player in there.

He needs to move off the ball more though, he has the pace to do it but he wants it’s to feet constantly and defenders know this.

Big season ahead for him. I feel it’s make or break.

spiriticon · Dec 3, 2020

He is a good player but how many years of experience does he need to understand that a good No.9 needs to score tap ins and headers as well?

He insists on playing centre but he needs to know and apply all that is required for the position. Not just the bits he likes.

Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell · Dec 3, 2020

Lay said:
The knee jerk thought is to write him off. But as much as his misses annoyed me, there’s a good player in there.

He needs to move off the ball more though, he has the pace to do it but he wants it’s to feet constantly and defenders know this.

Big season ahead for him. I feel it’s make or break.

It's like Nani all over again.

Clearly got a lot of talent and flashes of brilliance give enough hope to keep expecting more.

But it's been 5 years. There's nothing to suggest he's going to suddenly become a consistent top player for us.

To win leagues and cups we need a clinical striker.

Hugh Jass · Dec 3, 2020

MattofManchester said:
He really isn't. He doesn't have movement or an ability to make space and pull defenders apart, composure, aerial threat or anything that would potentially make him a World Class CF. He has pace and skill by bucket loads, but he doesn't even utilize that to its full potential. He doesn't have any work ethic either, or the ability to make the right decisions consistently.

We were after a World Class CF in Haaland. Why are we sitting here debating as if Martial, now 25, has any chance of reaching that level?
He's a good player, but that's it. Not a league winner, not among the best in the world. A good player, capable of World Class "moments".
That is not the level Manchester United should be aspiring to for its first choice players.

Yea this in a nutshell.

Ronaldo's ego · Dec 3, 2020

Some people think this guy can lead the line for us, he can if we aspire to finish fourth and have a decent run in the Europa. Shows flashes of brilliance but absolutely nowhere near the realm of being a player who leads the line for teams that win top honours.

Andersons Dietician · Dec 3, 2020

Slightly off topic but did anyone see how he took that ball out of the air over his shoulder with a defender pressing him. Shame he got called offside but Berba would have been proud of that touch.

Posh Red · Dec 3, 2020

Andersons Dietician said:
Slightly off topic but did anyone see how he took that ball out of the air over his shoulder with a defender pressing him. Shame he got called offside but Berba would have been proud of that touch.

I did. Was a great touch. Frustrating performance because he did some great stuff yesterday (pass to Bruno for example), but failed when it really mattered.

rooney2009 · Dec 3, 2020

Lets all just crucify our players as they are having a bad period
form is temporary and class is permanent
He will be back in form and He is actually not playing badly
Martial is not Paul Pogba
just look at how we crucified Lukaku and just look at him now
every striker has a bad spell...lets just support our players for once when its not going well for them

Sayros · Dec 3, 2020

Everything was set up for him this season. He got back in the French NT and did nothing of note there, he's not kicking on from his last season at the club which was excellent IMO, and so the frustration grows even more. I love the kid, I want him to do well, but he's not doing himself any favors missing the big chances like that and I can understand why people are turning on him, I am myself to be honest. He still has time to turn it around, but it's alarming how he's not able to string good performances together at the moment.

RashyForPM · Dec 3, 2020

Harry190 said:
Man, how's the ref to blame, at all, in this game? He gave us so much leeway.

Some people are so ignorant. Every loss is the refs fault. They’re like Ty from AFTV.

Harry190 · Dec 3, 2020

rooney2009 said:
Lets all just crucify our players as they are having a bad period
form is temporary and class is permanent
He will be back in form and He is actually not playing badly
Martial is not Paul Pogba
just look at how we crucified Lukaku and just look at him now
every striker has a bad spell...lets just support our players for once when its not going well for them

He's not good enough to deserve the level of support you're asking for him. Again, you think we're a charity and he's some poor down on his luck guy,

It's a give-give situation. He doesn't give.

RashyForPM · Dec 3, 2020

rooney2009 said:
Lets all just crucify our players as they are having a bad period
form is temporary and class is permanent
He will be back in form and He is actually not playing badly
Martial is not Paul Pogba
just look at how we crucified Lukaku and just look at him now
every striker has a bad spell...lets just support our players for once when its not going well for them

This is a good post except for one bit. Form is temporary class is permanent, but you say Martial isn’t and is better than Pogba? Doesn’t make sense. I’m not Pogba’s biggest fan but he has shown his class far more than Martial throughout his career, including in World Cups, one of which he won. Pogba is well-respected by his peers and fans in the football world, while Martial is simply a hot and cold alsoran.

Ali Dia · Dec 3, 2020

rooney2009 said:
Lets all just crucify our players as they are having a bad period
form is temporary and class is permanent
He will be back in form and He is actually not playing badly
Martial is not Paul Pogba
just look at how we crucified Lukaku and just look at him now
every striker has a bad spell...lets just support our players for once when its not going well for them

i want to support our players and manager but one thing I will say. its really starting to feel like Martial wilts when he has any competition for his position. its happened with Zlatan Lukaku and Cavani now.... his problems seem more mental than physical.

soapythecat · Dec 3, 2020

As with Pogba, Jose was right with Martial it seems.
He's just sooo inconsistent. He's a frustrating a first team player that has me screaming at the screen. You know he has a bucket load of ability but his attitude looks garbage when things are going his way.
Martial seems to be a player who needs to be in a functioning, winning team. We aren't that currently and he doesn't seem to be finding the love.
I doubt there would be many suitors for him if we put him on the market - well, not at this perceived value.

SirMarcusRashford · Dec 3, 2020

soapythecat said:
As with Pogba, Jose was right with Martial it seems.

Jose wasn't right with Pogba, Jose spent £90m of the clubs money to bring Pogba back here. The only person who was right with Pogba was Sir Alex Ferguson.

RedDevil@84 · Dec 3, 2020

golden_blunder said:
I’d take Haaland in a heart beat. Martial is too inconsistent

Is this even a comparison? I would have taken Haaland over Martial even after last season's form.

SAFMUTD · Dec 3, 2020

Cavani will take his spot before december ends. Its worrying as some have mentioned that he crumbles under competition, same happened with Zlatan and Lukaku, it seems he needs to be completely assured that he's the one. Unfortunately for him thats not how it works. Made or break season for him, he needs to start delivering as a consolidated player he's almost 25 so not a youngster anymore.

White Fury · Dec 3, 2020

The penny has dropped at least for me. Sell him next summer. We can get better players at the wings and in striker position than him.

Martial like Pogba has all the talent in the world, BUT doesnt have that elite mentality / mental strength that best players have ( CR7,Messi etc ), no drive to be best in the world, when he fails he starts to sulks and crumbles then the game is over for him, he cant recuperate. Look at Bruno when he fails at something he keeps trying harder and eventually scores or assists. Thats what the best players do. Keep trying and improving.

Martial is almost the same since he came and its been what almost 6 years ?! He is inconsistent and you dont win the league with inconsistent performances week in week out. He can have 1 world class performance followed by 5 sunday league performances. We cant afford to carry players like that. He cant learn this is his level, he has talent its obvious but is playing on instincts ( not striker ones like Cavani ), wants the ball at his feel most of the time, no movement without the ball, thats low football intelligence and you cant coach that. Is very dependant on confidence, but if he cant motivate himself no one can help him. Also he cant take it when theres competition for his position, instead of motivating him to do better it gets worse for him, thats weak mentality.

At the moment he should be bench option. After Pogba, this guy should be next on the transfer list. I'd like Haaland and Sancho in first 11 than Martial and Pogba.

Idxomer · Dec 3, 2020

SAFMUTD said:
Cavani will take his spot before december ends. Its worrying as some have mentioned that he crumbles under competition, same happened with Zlatan and Lukaku, it seems he needs to be completely assured that he's the one. Unfortunately for him thats not how it works. Made or break season for him, he needs to start delivering as a consolidated player he's almost 25 so not a youngster anymore.

Not with Lukaku, they actually had a bit of understanding between them. I believe he assisted him quite a bit in one season.

Foxbatt · Dec 3, 2020

rooney2009 said:
Lets all just crucify our players as they are having a bad period
form is temporary and class is permanent
He will be back in form and He is actually not playing badly
Martial is not Paul Pogba
just look at how we crucified Lukaku and just look at him now
every striker has a bad spell...lets just support our players for once when its not going well for them

He is missing chances. He is getting into positions too. He is trying too. He needs to play but with Cavani as CF. I hope he accepts that.

HowYouDoin · Dec 3, 2020

Okay lets not be too harsh on Anthony. A lot of you seem to criticize his scoring output against Paris without acknowleding that he does have a goal to his name against Paris. So yeah, not like there is nothing to his scoring record against Paris, thats an unfair thing to say.

rooney2009 · Dec 3, 2020

Harry190 said:
He's not good enough to deserve the level of support you're asking for him. Again, you think we're a charity and he's some poor down on his luck guy,

It's a give-give situation. He doesn't give.

He is not playing badly just needs to find his finishing boots

rooney2009 · Dec 3, 2020

RashyForPM said:
This is a good post except for one bit. Form is temporary class is permanent, but you say Martial isn’t and is better than Pogba? Doesn’t make sense. I’m not Pogba’s biggest fan but he has shown his class far more than Martial throughout his career, including in World Cups, one of which he won. Pogba is well-respected by his peers and fans in the football world, while Martial is simply a hot and cold alsoran.

I agree and I am not saying Pogba is a bad player
What I’m say is that people don’t have to criticise them together because they are french
Pogba is a good player but probably does not want to be here whilst I think Anthony wants to be here but He is just going through a bad spell

Big Ben Foster · Dec 3, 2020

AngliaRed said:
I’ve said for some time that the problem at this club is Martial and Rashford are not good enough.

You can argue Rashford is playing out of position injured whereas Martial is playing in his favourite position and still looks lazy and disinterested. He has essentially lost his no.9 spot to a 33yr old who came out of retirement. If that isn’t enough motivation to be better and take it back then get use to the bench.

I agree on Martial but I'm not sure why Rashford keeps getting lumped in with him in these conversations.

SAFMUTD · Dec 3, 2020

Idxomer said:
Not with Lukaku, they actually had a bit of understanding between them. I believe he assisted him quite a bit in one season.

His best games were when Lukaku was sidelined by Ole, he seems as a extremely mentally fragile player. I know Rashford has his bad patches as well, but with Martial you get the sensation that when he's off he doesnt even put a shift on.

Isotope · Dec 3, 2020

SAF would bench him, just like he benched Berba even after joint League top goalscorer previous season. Bag of talent and skill, but there should be no place if we want to go back as top team.

Hugh Jass · Dec 3, 2020

White Fury said:
The penny has dropped at least for me. Sell him next summer. We can get better players at the wings and in striker position than him.

Martial like Pogba has all the talent in the world, BUT doesnt have that elite mentality / mental strength that best players have ( CR7,Messi etc ), no drive to be best in the world, when he fails he starts to sulks and crumbles then the game is over for him, he cant recuperate. Look at Bruno when he fails at something he keeps trying harder and eventually scores or assists. Thats what the best players do. Keep trying and improving.

Martial is almost the same since he came and its been what almost 6 years ?! He is inconsistent and you dont win the league with inconsistent performances week in week out. He can have 1 world class performance followed by 5 sunday league performances. We cant afford to carry players like that. He cant learn this is his level, he has talent its obvious but is playing on instincts ( not striker ones like Cavani ), wants the ball at his feel most of the time, no movement without the ball, thats low football intelligence and you cant coach that. Is very dependant on confidence, but if he cant motivate himself no one can help him. Also he cant take it when theres competition for his position, instead of motivating him to do better it gets worse for him, thats weak mentality.

At the moment he should be bench option. After Pogba, this guy should be next on the transfer list. I'd like Haaland and Sancho in first 11 than Martial and Pogba.

I think this is a fair assessment. Like Pogba, Martial lacks consistency and will.

I still think we should keep him as a squad player.

I would sell Pogba though.

jamesjimmybyrondean · Dec 3, 2020

It's actually interesting his poor form always coincides when he has competition (in France too). I said it in the other Martial thread that he lacks the composure he had in front of goal and now trying to rush things. It looks like he's overly trying to impress

berbatrick · Dec 3, 2020

All the people talking about how he is totally useless when he's not scoring and is off form or mentally imperfect - yesterday he was off-form and according to this place competition = problem for him mentally. But his all-round game was fine yesterday. 2 chances created with really good passes, and a big involvement in the goal. It was his finishing that was off.

RedDevilCanuck · Dec 3, 2020

He's lost it.

If he doesn't get it back fast, he's done here and for France. Both have strong options.

I'm a fan and have defended him countless times.

But He's got to get it together and should be on the bench. Let's hope a tap in can get him going again.

Anthony Martial

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