So he finally got his number.
Nowhere to hide now Anthony. We'll be expecting a hattrick on Sunday.
Nowhere to hide now Anthony. We'll be expecting a hattrick on Sunday.
Anthony Martial #9
- Thread starter Florida Man
- Start date
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
taking the number away from him was such an unnecessary and childish thing. Glad he got it back and hopefully he'll crush it this season.
Have gone with him in the fantasy team , 7.5m, number 9 back up, time to roll.
Only a hattrick? He's removed the shackles of the number 11 that were holding him back. Surely he's going to break the record for goals in a game now.
I’m expecting us to smash the US-Thailand goal record.
Wut? #9 usually always go to the marquee striker. Of course Zlatan Ibrahimovic was going to get it.
It annoys me that our centre backs are wearing fullback numbers though.
Rarely a player would be stripped off the number. Marquee striker or not.
I think it does if Pre Season is anything to go by. You don’t give a player the #9 and play him on the wing.
He’s got the number and with it the pressure of being the main man up top. This is the position that suits him best, He’ll be 24 later this year too so he’s no longer strictly a youth player. Time to step up to the plate.
I believe he can do it. I reckon he’ll get 20 goals this season.
I believe he can do it. I reckon he’ll get 20 goals this season.
And the number 9 doesn't always go to the marquee striker. Ibrahimovic played with the 10 and 11 just fine.
But more often it does - and it should. Up to Martial now to prove himself now.
Indeed. Aguero and Ronaldo come to mind.
Ronaldo is not a striker though - he certainly wasn’t when he made #7 his own.
He played up top sometimes but yes he was mostly wide starting out. But all lineups with him these days have him up top and he really owns the whole final third if you think about it.
No arguments there
That goal he scored vs Chelsea last season is what we need to see more of this season.
James and Rashford will play thereThey've literally just changed his shirt number and people are over the moon?!
Let's say he plays as a striker for us so we now have cover upfront..........then we are short on the left wing with just Sanchez, who has been awful so far
I like the thinking.
Funny how all the hatred on him by the end of last season has been forgotten.
If a grown man performs any better or worse because of the number on his back he shouldn't be at this club. Let's hope he decides to bother running this season
If a grown man performs any better or worse because of the number on his back he shouldn't be at this club. Let's hope he decides to bother running this season
he could have easily worn another number. A club legend like Paul Scholes came out of retirement and took another number and it wasn't even worth the conversation. Stripping a young striker (who was one of the few positives in the season prior) of the number without even telling him just because we wanted to go box-office was a shambolic decision. It creates issues and talking points that could have easily been avoided.
Tony Martial came from France,
English press said he had no chance.
50 Million down the drain
As Tony Martial wears 9 again.
English press said he had no chance.
50 Million down the drain
As Tony Martial wears 9 again.
Not really, it's entirely a matter of availability and players choice. It's actually easy to find marquee strikers that often didn't use the number 9 and funnily enough Ibrahimovic is one of them. Examples of marquee striker Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet, Shevchenko, Henry, Raul, Romario or Wright.
If there is a rule, it will be that you generally don't take a number from an other player.
The entire team was widely hated at the end of last season and some of them still are.
I like Woodheads thinking here..“Hmm Ole, I’ve appeared to have sold our number 9 and didn’t have time to replace him”.
Ole “oh that’s ok Mr Woodward sir, I’m sure we can cope”
Woody, “Ole problem solved I’ve phoned the printers for the shirts I’m sure you’ll like the idea and it should keep those pesky supporters happy so it’s a win win”
Ole, “oh sir you are a footballing genius”
Ole “oh that’s ok Mr Woodward sir, I’m sure we can cope”
Woody, “Ole problem solved I’ve phoned the printers for the shirts I’m sure you’ll like the idea and it should keep those pesky supporters happy so it’s a win win”
Ole, “oh sir you are a footballing genius”
Celebration is a strong word but I think it draws a line in the sand and gives him the opportunity to think okay I’m getting the backing I need now and zero excuses. Jose killed his confidence when he took away the shirt number - it was a stupid decision to take. Young players are fragile and things like shirt numbers etc can make a big difference to their vibe on the pitch.
Then what would be the point of preparing for the season with Martial as his main centre forward. During the entire pre season he's played Martial in the centre and whenever both him and Rashford played together he had opted for Martial centrally with Rashford on the left.
Pre season gave us an idea of where each player might be played for the season or at least for the Chelsea game
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Someone loved the preseason.
Didn't even realise that autocorrect was fecking me over. Let me edit that postSomeone loved the preseason.
Hopefully the huffy cnut can pull his finger out and actually do something now.
If we changed Martial's shirt number to 69 maybe he'd suck less than he did last season.
Or maybe not. We'll see.
Or maybe not. We'll see.
I hope you're right. I'm very skeptical though
It happens, at least it still made sense.Didn't even realise that autocorrect was fecking me over. Let me edit that post
Giving him the #9 again can only do more good than harm.
Got his number back and I just hope he picks up from where he left off the last time he wore that number.
Was absolutely phenomenal in his debut season. If we get that Martial back, it will feel like a new signing.
Was absolutely phenomenal in his debut season. If we get that Martial back, it will feel like a new signing.
Hopefully he can kick on from his pre season form
I really hope so. Him and Rashford have been given big boy contracts, time to step up.
Inshallah him and rashy smash it this season
He is our best #9
He is our best #9
About as good of a Lukaku replacement we could have gotten this window.
I think we have mismanaged him, but also that he has a mentality that is difficult sometimes. Hopefully this new number will spark some interest in his heart.
I think we have mismanaged him, but also that he has a mentality that is difficult sometimes. Hopefully this new number will spark some interest in his heart.
Feck Jose for stripping him of that number in the first place. Was completely unnecessary. No wonder Martial didn't like the sour-faced git. It was an even bigger crime overlooking him again for that shirt in favour of Lukaku.
Hopefully Ole's faith in him will instill him with a lot more confidence and we can get the Martial back of the debut season, new and improved.
Hopefully Ole's faith in him will instill him with a lot more confidence and we can get the Martial back of the debut season, new and improved.