Do you even read what you post before you press reply?
I don't see what you're struggling with
It was hardly just a few muscular injuries. He played through the original injury which he says stopped him being able to accelerate hence the drop in form, but he then ruptured his knee ligament. Whether playing through that original injury played a part in the more serious injury is something that's been speculated on but we'll never know for sure. Regardless, after that he could barely stay fit at all, with constant injuries including hamstring, hip, back, groin and knee. That all caused a very obvious decline of agility, speed and acceleration.The difference between De Gea and the rest is that he made a really solid contribution over a number of years before moving on. I do agree with the general point that he’s one of many whose career after leaving has undermined the argument of anyone on here who thought we were wrong to get rid.
Of course the Martial FC narrative is that he was permanently changed as a footballer after getting a few muscular injuries. Never seen the logic in that but not worth arguing against at this point.
It was hardly just a few muscular injuries. He played through the original injury which he says stopped him being able to accelerate hence the drop in form, but he then ruptured his knee ligament. Whether playing through that original injury played a part in the more serious injury is something that's been speculated on but we'll never know for sure. Regardless, after that he could barely stay fit at all, with constant injuries including hamstring, hip, back, groin and knee. That all caused a very obvious decline of agility, speed and acceleration.
His second season was poor. But to put it in context, Mourinho came in and quite clearly took a dislike to him, played him in a new position (he'd previously played as a striker or wide attacker, but Mourinho wanted him more as a winger coming deeper to help defensively), plus Martial was having personal problems off the field, all at the age of 20. So yes he was poor, but hardly a surprise. Even so, his performances were improving towards the end of the season.Loads of players have had more severe and more frequent injuries than him without any permanent consequences. Plus he had duff seasons long before these injuries which allegedly changed him permanently (and before his best ever season!). His second and third season with United, for example, averaging a goal every 4 appearances. A scoring rate he did much better than at AEK Athens in 2024/25.
The “injuries ruined him” thing always seemed to me like a convenient narrative to back up long term overrating of a player who was really just a one season wonder. And we’ve seen an awful lot of them in this league over the years.
Pointless argument though. Can’t be proven one way or another.
I think with Mourinho, Jose just didnt fancy him as a player as he was a far cry from the type of CF Jose had in the past.. Be that Eto'o / Drogba / Benzema / Milito etc etc, players that work their socks off when off the ball. Players that when you played the ball into an open zone , you knew they were already making the run into the space. You didnt really get that from Martial, very rarely. He was extremely lazy off the ball. Always wanted the ball to his feet. (he was actually decent at running in behind the defenders, he just never actually bothered doing it)If we look at his first five seasons as a whole before the injuries really started, he had two clearly good seasons, two seasons where he was fairly good when he was actually given a run of games but Mourinho did everything he could not to give him that, and one poor season. With his best season being the last of those five, it was a fairly normal and expected progression for a player who only turned 24 during that season.
I see it much different but thats football, everyone goes to the same fixture and sees a different match.Don't think so, only if you over emphasize being able to dribble st a high speed. Rashford's speed, runs off the ball, crossing, long range shooting made him a more rounded forward for me. Not as silky and smooth, but has more dimensions to his game.
Martial had great dribbling skills, intuition and a mean inside foot curler but Rashford has many assets of a forward. Possibly none or very few to the elite level.
Agreed, think Rashford is playing at his level now though. If motivated he can maintain this, it's not a purple patch.I see it much different but thats football, everyone goes to the same fixture and sees a different match.
Personally I think both didnt hit the heights on a consistent basis that they should have. Its a shame. At one stage it looked like our future in the forward line looked to be something special with Greenwood as well but unfortunately it wasn't to be.
Yeah he was great for most of his time here. Poor for the last couple of seasons though, and we were absolutely right to move him on.The difference between De Gea and the rest is that he made a really solid contribution over a number of years before moving on. I do agree with the general point that he’s one of many whose career after leaving has undermined the argument of anyone on here who thought we were wrong to get rid.
Of course the Martial FC narrative is that he was permanently changed as a footballer after getting a few muscular injuries. Never seen the logic in that but not worth arguing against at this point.
Both of them, however, proved that being a one-season or half-season wonder boy, every few years doesn't make one a great playerDon't think so, only if you over emphasize being able to dribble st a high speed. Rashford's speed, runs off the ball, crossing, long range shooting made him a more rounded forward for me. Not as silky and smooth, but has more dimensions to his game.
Martial had great dribbling skills, intuition and a mean inside foot curler but Rashford has many assets of a forward. Possibly none or very few to the elite level.
I don't believe I said that it does, just making the point that his terrible form is not the sole reason Fiorentina are having an awful season. I cannot think of a single player or coach at that club right now who is not failing at the basics.That has no bearing on the individual form of a goalkeeper.
His second season was poor. But to put it in context, Mourinho came in and quite clearly took a dislike to him, played him in a new position (he'd previously played as a striker or wide attacker, but Mourinho wanted him more as a winger coming deeper to help defensively), plus Martial was having personal problems off the field, all at the age of 20. So yes he was poor, but hardly a surprise. Even so, his performances were improving towards the end of the season.
His third season wasn't poor, he was quite clearly our best option on the left that season (and for a month or two he was our best attacker fullstop) but Mourinho kept looking for any excuse to drop him. Kept dropping him for Rashford for the first half of the season despite Martial playing far better, then instantly moved him to the right wing (where Martial was never able to perform) and dropping him once we signed Sanchez.
If we look at his first five seasons as a whole before the injuries really started, he had two clearly good seasons, two seasons where he was fairly good when he was actually given a run of games but Mourinho did everything he could not to give him that, and one poor season. With his best season being the last of those five, it was a fairly normal and expected progression for a player who only turned 24 during that season.
It was only in 20/21 that it all went to shit.
Right? How does that change what I said?
He was world class at his best, but he'd been declining steadily since 2018. The last couple of seasons especially he was costing us games.Perhaps I did not articulate my point well, but unlike the three other players mentioned in that sentence, De Gea was magnificent for us for a decade.
Are you still pondering this?Could ... could ... could he be an option for us?
He was world class at his best, but he'd been declining steadily since 2018. The last couple of seasons especially he was costing us games.
I'm not saying the players on that list were all useless freeloaders - Lingard scored the winner in a FA cup final, after all. Just that they'd either been doing nothing or playing badly for us for far too long, left us and amounted to very little.
I wholeheartedly agree on the talent front; as a youngster Martial was talked about in similar tones to an Mbappe or a Rooney, but despite the talent, he never quite had the mentality. In the age of “fine margins” that matters even more; you have to really, really want it and devote your whole existence to being the absolute best you can be. Ronaldo is the poster boy for that, but just look at someone like Kane. Less natural ability than Martial, but his dedication to his craft is off the scale.Martial talent wise had much more potential than rashford. But as you say rashford has had a better career and is still writing his story at Barcelona and likely to have a title winners medal this season.
Its a shame about martial, he could have been much more. I think injuries is the defining difference though.
Good shout. I think we broke him mentally. He's still thirty and knows the premier league and club.Bring him back
They’ll need a lot of sticking plasters and in the case of a certain player, they’ll need to lose their moralityGet the band back together.
Good shout. I think we broke him mentally. He's still thirty and knows the premier league and club.
What's the Mexican league like physically? Caught a few Brazillian league games recently and if their league is anything like theirs then I could see why he's struggling. The games where pretty fast paced and intense. Surprised he didn't have any Saudi interest surely he'd be worth a punt there? And no offence but 90% of the games look like a glorified soccer aid match.It's strange to me that he can't still offer something at that level just through pure talent alone. I'd understand that he can't cut it at the highest level anymore but that surprises me.
He doesn't even look like he's gotten out of shape.
I have no idea tbhWhat's the Mexican league like physically? Caught a few Brazillian league games recently and if their league is anything like theirs then I could see why he's struggling. The games where pretty fast paced and intense. Surprised he didn't have any Saudi interest surely he'd be worth a punt there? And no offence but 90% of the games look like a glorified soccer aid match.
Bold assumption. Young people who get loads of cash are notoriously bad at handling it.I have no idea tbh
My only point of reference is that French striker Gignac who I think was doing well when he was still close to 40.
I imagine he just really doesn't care but then I wonder why he's even playing, he surely doesn't need the money. Weird career
Yeah you never know. I just assume we would have seen news articles.Bold assumption. Young people who get loads of cash are notoriously bad at handling it.
Saudi league just seems perfect for him. He had a big enough name and on his day was a good player, seems like an ideal situation. Is weird he looks to be just trying to play anywhere they'll pay him, he's gone from the Greek league to the Mexican league, truly hope he hasn't burnt through his career earnings would be proper depressing to see Martial having a kick about on Baller League in the near future.I have no idea tbh
My only point of reference is that French striker Gignac who I think was doing well when he was still close to 40.
I imagine he just really doesn't care but then I wonder why he's even playing, he surely doesn't need the money. Weird career
Wow, completely forgot he existed. An 11 year stint in Mexico! That's pretty cool.I have no idea tbh
My only point of reference is that French striker Gignac who I think was doing well when he was still close to 40.
I imagine he just really doesn't care but then I wonder why he's even playing, he surely doesn't need the money. Weird career
Martial, Nani and Berbatov playing together in a futsal team sounds pretty fun tbfSaudi league just seems perfect for him. He had a big enough name and on his day was a good player, seems like an ideal situation. Is weird he looks to be just trying to play anywhere they'll pay him, he's gone from the Greek league to the Mexican league, truly hope he hasn't burnt through his career earnings would be proper depressing to see Martial having a kick about on Baller League in the near future.
Get the band back together.
I have no idea tbh
My only point of reference is that French striker Gignac who I think was doing well when he was still close to 40.
I imagine he just really doesn't care but then I wonder why he's even playing, he surely doesn't need the money. Weird career
Tony never had the makings of a varsity athleteGignac was a physical powerhouse though with a rocket shot and he also put a shift in. He is perfect for that type of league.
I watch more Brazilian league than I have ever watched Mexico, but you need heart and desire and you need to work relentlessly or fans will turn on you.
Martial’s problem was also his lack of heart. He has ridiculous feet and was capable of the sublime, but he had no fight whatsoever.
That’s the wrong part of the world to go to if that’s the case.
This is undermining and it is something he is teaching his kids not to do.Tony never had the makings of a varsity athlete
