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2019-20 Performances


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6.2 Season Average Rating
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48
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23
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E-mal

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I'm surprised to see so much praise for him today. I thought he showed how talented he is again, and how important to our attack as a unit. But he was fairly quiet for long spells, especially in the first half. Played his part in lots of moves but wasn't making things happen himself the way both Rashford and James were. I always wish he had slightly more hunger to go with his talent.

Still a 7/10 sort of performance, but in a game when we were often all over them, why wasn't it a 9/10?
Are you serious now?
He was the only one in that attack that had the presence of mine to be calm when we had chances. In my opinion Rashford was poor especially with his decision. If Martial is half as selfish, our attack will be very poor.
 

Gomes

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I'm surprised to see so much praise for him today. I thought he showed how talented he is again, and how important to our attack as a unit. But he was fairly quiet for long spells, especially in the first half. Played his part in lots of moves but wasn't making things happen himself the way both Rashford and James were. I always wish he had slightly more hunger to go with his talent.

Still a 7/10 sort of performance, but in a game when we were often all over them, why wasn't it a 9/10?
Agreed. Was nowhere to be seen in the first half.
 

HJ12

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I'm surprised to see so much praise for him today. I thought he showed how talented he is again, and how important to our attack as a unit. But he was fairly quiet for long spells, especially in the first half. Played his part in lots of moves but wasn't making things happen himself the way both Rashford and James were. I always wish he had slightly more hunger to go with his talent.

Still a 7/10 sort of performance, but in a game when we were often all over them, why wasn't it a 9/10?
This tends to happen with strikers though. If they're maintaining their position on the pitch, there'll inevitably be times when they won't be involved much. But it's about maintaining awareness and sharpness to affect the play when the ball eventually comes your way, and he did that really well today. A lesser striker may well have been annoyed with lack of involvement and snatched at the second-half chances which AM, quite calmly, used to bring his team-mates into play. I thought his play really intelligent. Different strokes for different folks I suppose.
 

Based Adnan

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The fact he had a poor half and still managed such an influential performance is a credit to him. We look so much better when he plays so even if he's not 100% on it like the first half, he's still an asset to the team.

He's also somehow a better target man than Lukaku?
 

Shimo

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I'm surprised to see so much praise for him today. I thought he showed how talented he is again, and how important to our attack as a unit. But he was fairly quiet for long spells, especially in the first half. Played his part in lots of moves but wasn't making things happen himself the way both Rashford and James were. I always wish he had slightly more hunger to go with his talent.

Still a 7/10 sort of performance, but in a game when we were often all over them, why wasn't it a 9/10?
I'd say this was as good a performance you can get out of CF without actually getting on the scoresheet. By quiet in the first half, am assuming you mean that he wasn't involved directly in play because he did have an assist. I peaked in the match day thread and saw some comments about him being useless. Thing was that we were not getting the ball played into him but, his movement and the fact that he was occupying the CBs allowed James, Perreira and especially Rashford get on the ball and attack. As a 9, not much more he can do without receiving the ball. Even his pressing, you can just see how he has it down to not just running hard, being really smart about it.

Second half, saw all aspects of him, good hold up play, good to get his head on the ball to play Rashford in on the left, another assist and some great link up play as well. Didn't realize what a big miss he was because honestly never expected this kind of CF play from him. Only thing now is we need need to make sure he doesn't get too frustrated by not keeping him involved or in Rashford's case, make sure he starts returning the favor of trying to lay on a couple for him.
 

bond19821982

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We didn't use him correctly today. Once we scored 2, our attacks has come from wings and Martial is not at his best when ball is coming from wings.

Involve him in games and he will surprise with his hold up and link up play.
 

Santoryo

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All he needs now is Pogba to come back to the side and see more chances created for him. Because of how utterly useless Perreira is, especially when it comes to creating anything(the few and rare instances he actually managed to get the ball without losing it and turn, he was quick to shoot no matter the distance without as much as looking around him and spotting runs being made and slip a through ball or a simple pass).

At the very least what he'll get from Pogba back is more involvements and the ball coming to him through the midfield. Pogba can actually pass in between the lines which would benefit Martial because countless times he asked for the ball to be slipped in between players to him but our midfielders neither don't have the skill to do it nor the courage to even attempt it. Surprisingly second half Fred was somehow close to that guy who can pass the ball forward to Martial.

Martial CF plays love coming in short close to midfield and ask for the ball and with his good technique and hold up play he more often them not traps the ball and manage to turn. Couple this with his great awareness and decision making he'll more likely than not to cause damages when he finds himself in those situations. However to get him in those type of situations you'd need Pogba who is willing and has the skill to trade that pass in between.

Hopefully Rashford also matures his play. Way too often his head is down and doesn't realise what's going on in his surrounding which makes him come off selfish. He has to start returning the favor back to Martial. The latter has been creating for him and been nothing but unselfish, something Rashford still struggling to pull off.
 

Sayros

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We didn't use him correctly today. Once we scored 2, our attacks has come from wings and Martial is not at his best when ball is coming from wings.

Involve him in games and he will surprise with his hold up and link up play.
There just wasn't that consistent passing that could cut open the defense. He was making the runs, but outside of Fred there wasn't much in the ways of passing to reward those runs through the middle. He would get it short which allowed him to turn around and create danger, which he did very well.

I think with a guy like Pogba coming back, those runs will be rewarded a bit more, the last few games he's had a lot of good runs that went to waste.

I'm just waiting for United's next poor game where the midfield is swallowed up and he inevitably becomes anonymous so the trolls can come back out from their cave to say he's a nothing player while completely ignoring the fact that his very position will make it hard for anyone with a contained midfield to make something happen.
 

Santoryo

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There just wasn't that consistent passing that could cut open the defense. He was making the runs, but outside of Fred there wasn't much in the ways of passing to reward those runs through the middle. He would get it short which allowed him to turn around and create danger, which he did very well.

I think with a guy like Pogba coming back, those runs will be rewarded a bit more, the last few games he's had a lot of good runs that went to waste.

I'm just waiting for United's next poor game where the midfield is swallowed up and he inevitably becomes anonymous so the trolls can come back out from their cave to say he's a nothing player while completely ignoring the fact that his very position will make it hard for anyone with a contained midfield to make something happen.
This is my point too. He'll need Pogba of he want to increase his own scoring output because he'll hardly be getting chances.

Currently due to the lack of creativity coming from the midfield he himself has to assume a much bigger creative role for our other attackers in the rare times he somehow manage to get on the ball in advanced positions. Dan James can create but mostly from counter situations, on the break. Rashford himself isn't that great at creating chances but he's good at getting himself into good positions which means with Martial awareness around the box he'll create for Rashford.

Martial himself will need someone feeding him and our midfield won't do that hence the need for Pogba to help him. Also if second half Fred today keeps showing up then even better news for Martial.
 

BringNaniBack

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When we play Martial in the middle it's as if he is a false 9 rather than an out an out striker. He is absolutely brilliant at linking up play in the final third. He is the difference in our attack. He makes an average Rashford look like a very good player. If he can manage to stay fit we will be a far better team.
 

Devil may care

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He's been the key to our slight improvement, his hold-up and link-up play is benefitting James and especially Rashford, and he's making a number of smart runs to open up chances for not only himself but others, he was basically doing the job of a 9 and 10 today.
 

Silas

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Looking forward to him taking it up another level once Pogba's back. Already spent seasons complaining about this, but it's painfully annoying that his development as a CF has essentially been held back two years.
 
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always_hoping

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Probably Uniteds most important player now. The difference when he's in the team or not is like chalk and cheese. A must that he's kept fit and Ole should have the sense to rest him for the remaining 2 Europa league group games and league Cup quarter final
 

caid

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I thought he was playing in 2nd gear most of the match tbh. It was a fine performance and improved in the second half but his general play wasn't particularly good imo.
 

In Rainbows

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All he needs now is Pogba to come back to the side and see more chances created for him. Because of how utterly useless Perreira is, especially when it comes to creating anything(the few and rare instances he actually managed to get the ball without losing it and turn, he was quick to shoot no matter the distance without as much as looking around him and spotting runs being made and slip a through ball or a simple pass).
.
That's something Pereira has done since he was playing for the u21s. No idea how anyone could think he was a #10.
 

kafta

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Its no coincidence that our recent upturn in form coincides with his return from injury.

When you have quick wide players who look to score like Rashford and James, you need a 9 in the mold of Firmino who can bring everyone around him into play. Martial can do just that.

Also, as soon as Pogba is back, Martial would do wonders for him. He can actually hold the ball up and involve him, unlike Lukaku who had the first touch of a trampoline.

I think from all our players, i've always felt he has the highest ceiling. He's making that spot his own.
 

kouroux

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On the left wing.
A socialist ?

Probably Uniteds most important player now. The difference when he's in the team or not is like chalk and cheese. A must that he's kept fit and Ole should have the sense to rest him for the remaining 2 Europa league group games and league Cup quarter final
He will have some rest now with the international break. I think he's played a lot since his return of injury because of that
 

Raw

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I have to admit, I was one of those who were adamant that Martial isn't a better player as a centre forward. But I am loving him in this role.
 

Hughes35

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I've never really bought into the Martial hype and always thought he was hugely over rated.

The difference in our team when plays up top is massive though and he's slowly winning me over. When everybody is fit, our team doesn't actually look to bad. The issue is squad depth though. Think we desperately still need another top quality Striker to compete with him. I'm happy for Ole that we've actually played some attractive football in the last two games also.
 

Foxbatt

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Hj and Shimo, spot on. The fact that he did not drop into midfield to get involved is why we played so well. That created the space for others. He was absolutely right in not dropping deep. If he had started to come deep, the Brighton defence would find it much easy to be closer to their midfield. They were scared of Martial so they had two marking him and creating the space for Rahsford and James and even more so to Periera.
 

Handré1990

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I'd say this was as good a performance you can get out of CF without actually getting on the scoresheet. By quiet in the first half, am assuming you mean that he wasn't involved directly in play because he did have an assist. I peaked in the match day thread and saw some comments about him being useless. Thing was that we were not getting the ball played into him but, his movement and the fact that he was occupying the CBs allowed James, Perreira and especially Rashford get on the ball and attack. As a 9, not much more he can do without receiving the ball. Even his pressing, you can just see how he has it down to not just running hard, being really smart about it.

Second half, saw all aspects of him, good hold up play, good to get his head on the ball to play Rashford in on the left, another assist and some great link up play as well. Didn't realize what a big miss he was because honestly never expected this kind of CF play from him. Only thing now is we need need to make sure he doesn't get too frustrated by not keeping him involved or in Rashford's case, make sure he starts returning the favor of trying to lay on a couple for him.
Top post. All of Rashford’s runs into the box in the first half with the ball came into spaces opened up by Martial dragging the CBs out of position.
 

Fosu-Mens

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Decisionmaking during the match was top. Passing when he should pass and made our attack function with movement and good hold up play.

One of our few players that can function on the counter and against a balanced defence.
 

MyOnlySolskjaer

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I was wrong about him. Didn't think he'd ever have the movement to play as a CF based on his wing performances but in reality he should have been playing there since he joined us.

Can't explain it but he's on a different gear when he's playing as a #9. His mismanaging has been criminal.
 

Based Adnan

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I was wrong about him. Didn't think he'd ever have the movement to play as a CF based on his wing performances but in reality he should have been playing there since he joined us.

Can't explain it but he's on a different gear when he's playing as a #9. His mismanaging has been criminal.
In fairness his movement has improved tenfold. Not sure where it's come from but it's not something we've seen before on a consistent basis.
 

RedStarUnited

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I always thought mentality was his problem, he's always had a very high talent level. The question is if he can keep focused and find that consistency.
I still fear it, hopefully he sorts it out. He reminds me a lot of Hazard, Hazard has not achieved the level that his talents deserve.
 

roonster09

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I always thought mentality was his problem, he's always had a very high talent level. The question is if he can keep focused and find that consistency.
I think he gives the wrong impression as he looks bit laid back. If we go by his time under Jose, it really shows how mentally strong he was. He was our best player in 2015-16 season, lost his place deservedly or undeservedly and didn't get run of games. Then started from bench in 2017-18, rotated with Rashford and won the place. Somehow Jose played Sanchez and dropped Martial. Again in 2018-19 he started from bench (IIRC) and won his place by the time Jose was sacked.

He was up for competition and won the place by his on pitch performance. It's just that he shows nearly 0 emotions and looks bit laid back.
 

OldTrevil

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I think he gives the wrong impression as he looks bit laid back. If we go by his time under Jose, it really shows how mentally strong he was. He was our best player in 2015-16 season, lost his place deservedly or undeservedly and didn't get run of games. Then started from bench in 2017-18, rotated with Rashford and won the place. Somehow Jose played Sanchez and dropped Martial. Again in 2018-19 he started from bench (IIRC) and won his place by the time Jose was sacked.

He was up for competition and won the place by his on pitch performance. It's just that he shows nearly 0 emotions and looks bit laid back.
Exactly. Jose era proved one thing conclusively about Martial, his mental toughness and will to win regardless of the circumstances. His talent had already been proved before in Monaco and under LVG. Now he needs to show consistency and reach his peak.
 

Hambley

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Martial didn't accidentally lost his place many times. He has always been unstable and eventually lost his fit form after 5-6 (or even less) matches. That's why Mourinho dropped him. I clear remember last PL fixtures of the season 2016/2017 where Martial looked so clueless and useless. And above all could you imagine he would survive so long at Chelsea or Real Madrid with that perfomance impermanence? It's just ridiculous that we babysit so many average players giving them a chance by chance and expecting from them top devotion for years. That's exactly why we stucked in the swamp of mediocrity and fight at least for the 4th place almost every season. The management have to demand much more from players as well as managers and fans have to. We shouldn't do this damn player-sitting.
 

Sayros

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He's shown how important he is to this team, and the formula is in place now. With more creativity and incisiveness from the midfield, the front three of Rashford-Martial-James can do some actual damage in the league. He's making good runs, whether it's for himself or to create space for others, he is a point of reference for the ball to go to in the opponent's half that will help keep it and create danger for others/himself.

He may have bad games, that's going to happen to such an inconsistent team, but this is the best formula Ole's got at the moment with the players at his disposal. It's just extremely reliant on the health of the front three, and especially Martial.
 
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