It's because he is young, people know that he is only 19, so he must be raw. But he isn't raw, otherwise what do you say about Hernandez or Welbeck. Martial is at an early stage of his development around the same stage than Rooney when he joined us, but like Rooney he isn't naive tactically or athletically, Ranieri and Jardim did a great job with him.
9
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 49
- Goals
- 17
- Assists
- 11
- Yellow cards
- 4
- Status
It's because he is young, people know that he is only 19, so he must be raw. But he isn't raw, otherwise what do you say about Hernandez or Welbeck. Martial is at an early stage of his development around the same stage than Rooney when he joined us, but like Rooney he isn't naive tactically or athletically, Ranieri and Jardim did a great job with him.
Hopefully he starts on Sunday for me he's better up top than Rooney so far and he can only get better. It's very exciting the fact that we have him and memphis in the squad not a bad pair of prospects.
His hold up play allowed our midfielders to get up the pitch very well. Has to continue there. Shove rooney to wherever.
I really admire how he fearlessly runs at opposition defenders, like Shaw and Wilshere. I hope he does not loose that part of his game.
He put in a great performance last night, great physical presence, a sharp turn and very comfortable on the ball. Outstanding work-rate and super attitude. Disciplined too, got plenty of it from the PSV CBs, just got on with the job.
The bench, preferably.
I'm hoping for #10 personally. Think back to whenever he's been partnered with a fast player in attack.... It always brought the best out of him. Of course that was a while ago and with Fergie, but I have hope. Kind of like a last bit of hope for him to come back, but his presence on the pitch makes a difference for sure and United look worse without him there I think. He definitely shouldn't play up top, but in the hole, behind martial and alongside Memphis, and encouraging him to play with pace and giving him freedom, and I think he'll get back to a good level.
Yeah, I do have some slight hope left that he could play well surrounded with the pace of Martial and Memphis, he's always linked well with pacy attackers (Ronaldo, Saha, Welbeck) in the past. But that would mean either Mata or Herrera missing out, and right now they're better players then Rooney imo.
Rooney is a massive conundrum really. Doesn't seem to have the pace or physicality to play upfront in the PL, but isn't as good as other players in the squad as a #10. But he's the captain, so has to play. Its all a bit of a headache in all honesty.
Right now, if I had to pick a team from the current squad (presuming everyone is fit) to play for my life, Rooney wouldn't be a part of it.
True, but mata yesterday had one of his worst games for united and played as a 10 (just an off day, but still). Can't see Van Gaal picking him there again any time soon, and while I love Herrera, Rooney is a big goal threat when played as a 10, more then Herrera. The thing with Rooney is that he goes through such dry spells that we all for get how good he can actually play, since when he's not on form his all around play goes to shit. But if he gets back in form playing as a 10, hes back to being our best player. You can't really explain it, but its worth sticking it out with him in the hope he finds his form again, even if we have to sit through really shit games.
But like you said, the type of player martial is, he has always been at his best when partnered with someone like that. Martial holds the ball up brilliantly, can run in behind and stretch defences, and can link up really well. Same with Memphis out on the left. If he doesn't perform with them, then I will probably lose hope for him, but I think he can still do well for us.
I don't want to seem like I'm picking on you directly as I'm sure a lot of people have this opinion but I always find it odd how people can say he is better than Rooney up front based on 120 minutes of football for United.
Just as we shouldn't dismiss players based on a few games, we shouldn't hype them up based on it either. I agree he was very impressive and I hope will become a great player for us but he is young and is bound to be inconsistent.
The only way I see him starting on Sunday is if Rooney isn't fully fit or if we play both of them. Again this isn't me saying Rooney is in amazing form....just too early to claim Martial is better than Rooney up front due to the limited evidence
The obvious response to this is that Martial has looked far more threatening in his 120 minutes than Rooney has all season. Since the start of the year, even.
and Rooney as a number 10 means all our play will be going out to the right wing
@DWelbz19 Has hit the nail on the head for me we all know that on his day Rooney is a beast but recently he's been far from his best and his poor touch and hesitancy in front of goal has lead to us missing out on a lot of chances.
Our number 10 slot is yet to be locked down and Rooney has the perfect skill set for the role in my eyes so hopefully that's where he will play and find form again.
I just think bar the lack of goals last night was the sharpest we've looked in attack in a long time so I'm hoping using the same squad we will be able to replicate that in the premier league.
Our number 10 slot is yet to be locked down and Rooney has the perfect skill set for the role in my eyes so hopefully that's where he will play and find form again.
I just think bar the lack of goals last night was the sharpest we've looked in attack in a long time so I'm hoping using the same squad we will be able to replicate that in the premier league.
He has the perfect skill set for the role when his overall game is going well and he's able to create and link the attack and defence. I'm not convinced he'd be particularly effective at the moment, and would probably rather see us going with Herrera there. I think LVG should make a choice between playing one of Martial/Rooney up top. Martial doesn't have to play, since he's going to get plenty of playing time anyway and LVG may still have faith in a Rooney regeneration, but playing Martial would certainly be a gigantic vote of confidence.
True but it's shut a short time period to judge him either positively or negatively in my opinion.
Ok so this is maybe a bit of an extreme case but if you looked at Macheda in his first two appearances everyone thought he'd be a world beater in a few years and probably seen as a better striker than "present Rooney". In reality it doesn't always work out that way. Similarly if you said 12 months ago that Januzaj would be sent out on loan (I.e. when he was carrying the team for Moyes) most wouldn't believe you.
I think and hope Martial will be excellent for us and certainly seems it. But an in form Wayne Rooney is a better option for now. He's 19 and will be inconsistent, that's just part of his development process and understandle.
I guarantee if Martial plays and has a couple of bad games the "waste of money" and "not enough" comments will unfairly be said by media and fans alike.
I just think with young players like him we shouldn't be expecting him to be the answers to our prayers and should let him develop at his own rate. Just my opinion
You are talking about a player with +70 games behind him, Macheda wasn't at the same level than Martial. Yes he is 19 years old but he is one of those rare 19 years old who only needs to play, they don't need protection, they need game. Like Gotze, Verratti, Draxler, Rooney or Sterling before.
Some sexy stuff there between Martial and Depay.
Herrera fanboys/Rooney haters dislike this
Given all the context, that was a cracking performance.
Easily the most involved performance by a United #9 in a long time.
and Shaw Smalling DDG Morgan Herrera Adnan quite a useful bunch of top young players coming through! The future looks excellent!
Those passes into the feet of the striker and a striker who can play with back to goal something we've lacked since SAF's last season, and here and there since when RVP has had a good game. But for the most part it has been one of the big missing links in our football. Should be interesting to see how good Martial can become at this in the coming seasons. Good thing is, unlike a Lukaku who is undoubtedly stronger, Martial has strength but also the technical quality to turn and run or drift between pockets of space.
Yeah good assessment. He isn't beastly in the air but that's not something we should really be worried about. I'd take the ball technique and pace he has.
Nope this herrera fan boy approves.
------------Martial
Memphis--Rooney--Mata
I'd be happy with this, at least for a few games to see if they can fit together. maybe Young on for Mata, but I think Young can influence the game more off the bench than Mata.
Memphis--Rooney--Mata
I'd be happy with this, at least for a few games to see if they can fit together. maybe Young on for Mata, but I think Young can influence the game more off the bench than Mata.
His movement off the ball and hold-up play is really strong. Thought he was the only positive from Tuesday.
Would be pretty disappointed if he doesn't start against Southhampton. He very much looks like the real deal.
Would be pretty disappointed if he doesn't start against Southhampton. He very much looks like the real deal.
Herrera looks just as likely to have a pop on goal as anyone. One of the most frustrating things about Rooney (wherever you play him) is that he doesn't put his laces through the ball and have a shot anymore.
His feet are fecked
Wow, just got home from two weeks out in the woods in the army and saw we won 3-1 against pool. What a goal he had 
Out the door will do nicely.
Like it that he runs in the channels and is more between fullback and centre back while with Rooney he's standing between the 2 centre backs, and it's too easy for them to win the ball back
Indeed. Rooney is too predictable and robotic especially as number 9
Just watched those highlights from the PSV games. Some impressive link up play and a lot of pace. Seemed to run into trouble a few times but happy he is trying to run at players.
Hope him and Memphis can spur each other on a bit like Rooney and Ronaldo did back in the day.
Hope him and Memphis can spur each other on a bit like Rooney and Ronaldo did back in the day.
I would love to see him start again today, but at the same time I would completely understand if LvG wants to ease him in.
Pretty sure he'll be on the bench. Would absolutely love to be wrong though.
It seems that's the way LvG wants to set up though, with the striker being quite rigid in terms of movement and not drifting into the channels. It will be interesting to see if Martial carries on the way he is considering he's only been here for a few weeks now.
Fairly certain he's starting.
Looking forward to seeing him and Rooney together.
He starts!
Delighted with what. Was expecting Rooney to go upfront with Herrera behind him. Nice to see him play again after what I thought was a good game vs PSV.
- Status