[OldTrevil]

He did make a few off the ball runs, but he was ignored each time except when Ashley Young tried to find him and ended up playing it 10 yards too far. After that he seemed to stop and revert back to his normal game.

It's so frustrating seeing our players not actively seek to give the ball to one of our most talented players, especially in a game that needed something special to open it up. I remember being frustrated at Carrick for ignoring Martial every time he came in the middle looking for the ball. He was trying things in the first half, there was nothing wrong with his effort. In the second he was less so I agree on that. I think he's at a point where he needs encouragement to keep at it, especially when he doesn't get the ball like in that half. I hope he gets a extended run as a starter.

 

[OL29]

I am going to have to disagree with you there, buddy! Making use of an abundance of skill and technique to score a beautiful goal isn't grit. Martial is perhaps the biggest talent I have seen here recently(post Ronaldo period)! His close control of the ball and dribbling is a treat to watch. But, his plays are becoming very predictable. Stand until the ball is passed to him, then play 1-2's with the nearest players while trying to move into the box. Very one-dimensional. And buddy, Grit/ Mental Resilience is, not giving up when the chips are down. Grit is forcing the issue, when things are not going according to plan. Trying different things to keep the opposition on their toes. Everytime I see him, I see a lack of these things in a player who has all the talent in the world to make it to the very top.

I agree with you about his predictability, it worked for him last season but it seems like defences are better equipped to deal with him these days.
I really hope he's working on adding more strings to his bow as, like you said, true talent is all there.

 

[Adisa]

Don't expect him to become a superstar when we hired a manager who is useless when it comes to developing young players. Under LVG he had a much better chance of becoming time hence he even had a stellar season last season, no surprise like the other youngster we have, hes struggling.

I was worried about Mourinho but I have to disagree. The biggest problem with Martial is the complete lack of intensity in his game. I don't know how much blame Mourinho can take for that. For the majority of this season, he's played like one would in a 5 a side game. His complete refusal to run when he doesn't have the ball is doing my head in. I am someone who did not want Morunho and worshiped the ground Martial walked on.

 

[3KDré]

To be honest I don't care he was dropped. Fully deserved it. Didn't look like he cared at all the other day.

 

[SteveW]

Agreed. You need to earn your place.

 

[MadMike]

Yep, previously he was dropped after some good performances which was a bit baffling but he can have no complains this time.

It's all good. Given our schedule and number of injuries he'll get another chance very soon, maybe even today in the 2nd half.

 

[RooneyLegend]

I was worried about Mourinho but I have to disagree. The biggest problem with Martial is the complete lack of intensity in his game. I don't know how much blame Mourinho can take for that. For the majority of this season, he's played like one would in a 5 a side game. His complete refusal to run when he doesn't have the ball is doing my head in. I am someone who did not want Morunho and worshiped the ground Martial walked on.

Martial is the sort of talent that needs a lot of work. His movement off the ball is poor cause he doesn't actually know where to run. This is something the coaches have to be helping him with and from what I've seen, none of the sort is taking place. He isn't like Alli who has an extremely natural football brain, he needs proper coaching like the sort that was afforded to Ronaldo or Robben at Bayern. Without that, we might as well sell him now cause its going to be a long road ahead regardless of how prodigiously talented he might be.

 

[Bwuk]

After his first season here Martial should of been built up and continued to be one of our key players.

Why on earth Lingard plays ahead of him is beyond me.

 

[RooneyLegend]

After his first season here Martial should of been built up and continued to be one of our key players.

Why on earth Lingard plays ahead of him is beyond me.

That's the story of our season, our team selection has been beyond horrendous. Mkhi, him and Shaw should've been starting every game this season, atleast being played into a rhythm, instead our manager chops and changes based on one match at a time. Not only does he chop and change, but he uses flat out mediocre players instead.

 

[peridigm]

That's the story of our season, our team selection has been beyond horrendous. Mkhi, him and Shaw should've been starting every game this season, atleast being played into a rhythm, instead our manager chops and changes based on one match at a time. Not only does he chop and change, but he uses flat out mediocre players instead.

Kind of reminds you of LVG except some players were undropable while others were unplayable.

Legit question here. Where did Martial primarily play at Monaco? Was he a striker or winger?

 

[Philadelphian]

Martial is the sort of talent that needs a lot of work. His movement off the ball is poor cause he doesn't actually know where to run. This is something the coaches have to be helping him with and from what I've seen, none of the sort is taking place. He isn't like Alli who has an extremely natural football brain, he needs proper coaching like the sort that was afforded to Ronaldo or Robben at Bayern. Without that, we might as well sell him now cause its going to be a long road ahead regardless of how prodigiously talented he might be.

This is a great point. Can we actually point to Jose/his staff doing this sort of thing with any similar players? DiMaria fall into that category?

 

[RooneyLegend]

This is a great point. Can we actually point to Jose/his staff doing this sort of thing with any similar players? DiMaria fall into that category?

Nope, no evidence at all. diMaria stayed the same inconsistent winger under him and only reached the top as a left midfielder under Ancelotti.

 

[K2K]

Nope, no evidence at all. diMaria stayed the same inconsistent winger under him and only reached the top as a left midfielder under Ancelotti.

What an awful example, considering that other than that one season, Di Maria has always been that same inconsistent winger even thereafter.

More evidence that ADM simply hit that a purple patch once, than it says anything about Jose.

 

[RooneyLegend]

What an awful example, considering that other than that one season, Di Maria has always been that same inconsistent winger even thereafter.

More evidence that ADM simply hit that a purple patch once, than it says anything about Jose.

Unfortunately for ADM he got shipped out after someone had finally found a way to get the best out of him and now he's back to square one.

 

[K2K]

Unfortunately for ADM he got shipped out after someone had finally found a way to get the best out of him and now he's back to square one.

So that tells you a lot about Angel Di Maria.

It shouldn't be used as a stick to beat Jose with.

 

[Philadelphian]

So that tells you a lot about Angel Di Maria.

It shouldn't be used as a stick to beat Jose with.

Ok, so are there any other examples of Jose or his staff taking a player like that, who needs a significant amount of coaching on the game, and doing so?

 

[JPRouve]

Ok, so are there any other examples of Jose or his staff taking a player like that, who needs a significant amount of coaching on the game, and doing so?

Simple, Benzema.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

That's the story of our season, our team selection has been beyond horrendous. Mkhi, him and Shaw should've been starting every game this season, atleast being played into a rhythm, instead our manager chops and changes based on one match at a time. Not only does he chop and change, but he uses flat out mediocre players instead.

Totally agree.

The biggest reason this season has become so tedious for me is Mourinho's love for rubbish players. I think we'd be in a much better position this season had Martial, Shaw and Mkhitarian been given key roles from the beginning (and Schweinsteiger an important backup role instead of Fellaini). You're not likely to do as well when you spent a lot of the season playing lesser players.

 

[Varun]

Totally agree.

The biggest reason this season has become so tedious for me is Mourinho's love for rubbish players. I think we'd be in a much better position this season had Martial, Shaw and Mkhitarian been given key roles from the beginning (and Schweinsteiger an important backup role instead of Fellaini). You're not likely to do as well when you spent a lot of the season playing lesser players.

Players being guaranteed 1st 11 spots regardless of performance is a bad idea. He does go the other extreme and holds people to different standards which I dont agree with but the basic principle is still more sensible than Mkhi, Martial, Shaw etc starting every game just because they are more talented. Take the WBA game for instance, for all of Mkhi and Martial's talent, you got the feeling that if we were going to score, it was going to come via Lingard and not the other 2.

 

[kouroux]

So that tells you a lot about Angel Di Maria.

It shouldn't be used as a stick to beat Jose with.

Indeed, of all the things Mourinho truly deserves criticism for, ADM is the dumbest one I've heard

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Players being guaranteed 1st 11 spots regardless of performance is a bad idea. He does go the other extreme and holds people to different standards which I dont agree with but the basic principle is still more sensible than Mkhi, Martial, Shaw etc starting every game just because they are more talented. Take the WBA game for instance, for all of Mkhi and Martial's talent, you got the feeling that if we were going to score, it was going to come via Lingard and not the other 2.

I don't think it's about being guaranteed a place. Rather about giving your most valuable assets as much support as you can and working with them. As long as they out-perform their colleagues in general (rather than one bad game getting them the boot), they should start, and I have no doubt that had Jose prioritized these players for the initial few months, we'd have seen just that. In fact, even with the shitty treatment Martial probably has decent end product per start as compared to the alternatives.

 

[Varun]

I don't think it's about being guaranteed a place. Rather about giving your most valuable assets as much support as you can and working with them. As long as they out-perform their colleagues in general (rather than one bad game getting them the boot), they should start, and I have no doubt that had Jose prioritized these players for the initial few months, we'd have seen just that. In fact, even with the shitty treatment Martial probably has decent end product per start as compared to the alternatives.

Yes, as I said, I do disagree with his approach where the likes of Mkhi and Martial seem to be held to a much higher standard than Rashford or Lingard.

 

[RuudTom83]

When Martial is on firm his not-bothered look just makes him look even better.

When he is off form and keeps the not-bothered look it just pisses everyone off! hehe

A few goals for him (and Rashford for that matter) would help his confidence and game greatly.

 

[RooneyLegend]

Totally agree.

The biggest reason this season has become so tedious for me is Mourinho's love for rubbish players. I think we'd be in a much better position this season had Martial, Shaw and Mkhitarian been given key roles from the beginning (and Schweinsteiger an important backup role instead of Fellaini). You're not likely to do as well when you spent a lot of the season playing lesser players.

Exactly, i just think he doesn't rate them all that highly which is strange given that he's the one that signed Mkhitaryan, with the others its a bit more understandable.

 

[WhoDaGOAT]

If only that lob had gone in. Right idea, unlucky with the execution.

I'm worried that he will be gone in the summer. Mourinho loves Zlatan, Pogba, Lingard and Rashford.

Martial always seems to be left out. These guys are always trying to feed each other and link up.

 

[NinjaFletch]

If only that lob had gone in. Right idea, unlucky with the execution.

I'm worried that he will be gone in the summer. Mourinho loves Zlatan, Pogba, Lingard and Rashford.

Martial always seems to be left out. These guys are always trying to feed each other and link up.

Virtually no chance I would say. I doubt even think the likes of Lingard or Rashford will get as many minutes as they have so far this season.

 

[Womp]

If only that lob had gone in. Right idea, unlucky with the execution.

I'm worried that he will be gone in the summer. Mourinho loves Zlatan, Pogba, Lingard and Rashford.

Martial always seems to be left out. These guys are always trying to feed each other and link up.

Had he made more runs like that throughout the season, Jose would have trusted him more imo. He is fast as feck and probably the best in the squad with the ball at his feet apart from maybe Micky T. I don't see why he's so reluctant to make those runs more often.

 

[Bastian]

I don't think he's lost his close control, the ability to beat his man or his finishing ability that was reminiscent of some great French strikers of recent years. I think it's a confidence/motivation issue. Does anyone remember seeing him smile, or better yet, not look glum?

 

[Fracture90]

Had he made more runs like that throughout the season, Jose would have trusted him more imo. He is fast as feck and probably the best in the squad with the ball at his feet apart from maybe Micky T. I don't see why he's so reluctant to make those runs more often.

That pass was on the counter when Sunderland's defense wasn't set, that's why that pass went through.

Throughout the season teams were mostly defending against us so those passes were hardly made by any of our attacking players.

Also worth noticing is the fact that only Pogba and Carrick are able to make those passes from our MF players.

 

[WhoDaGOAT]

Virtually no chance I would say. I doubt even think the likes of Lingard or Rashford will get as many minutes as they have so far this season.

Lingard being given that contract is significant. His versatility will always ensure that he gets games, given our hectic schedule each season.

I think Mourinho has a lot of faith in Rashford long term. He's trying to get him to where he wants him. He will get enough starts.

 

[Womp]

I don't think he's lost his close control, the ability to beat his man or his finishing ability that was reminiscent of some great French strikers of recent years. I think it's a confidence/motivation issue. Does anyone remember seeing him smile, or better yet, not look glum?

TBF he was in the form of his life last season and still looked like a right miserable cnut, guess that's just his personality. Would be very upset if he left, but it's on him. With the talent he has, there's no excuse for him not to be one of the first names on the team sheet.

 

[ovoxo]

If he can make more runs like he did for that Lob he would be so much more unpredictable. He needs to add that to his game consistently.

 

[Womp]

That pass was on the counter when Sunderland's defense wasn't set, that's why that pass went through.

Throughout the season teams were mostly defending against us so those passes were hardly made by any of our attacking players.

Also worth noticing is the fact that only Pogba and Carrick are able to make those passes from our MF players.

Just goes to show, he needs a mile of space behind the defence to even consider making that run. With his pace and ability with the ball, playing on the defender's shoulder should be his bread and butter, yet he never opts to take that route. He's always waiting for the ball at his feet.

 

[Jazz]

If he can make more runs like he did for that Lob he would be so much more unpredictable. He needs to add that to his game consistently.

Agreed.

Also as others have said, he needs that confidence up. He just needs to keep working hard.

 

[NinjaFletch]

Lingard being given that contract is significant. His versatility will always ensure that he gets games, given our hectic schedule each season.

I think Mourinho has a lot of faith in Rashford long term. He's trying to get him to where he wants him. He will get enough starts.

Oh I don't think they'll get no minutes but just reduced game time. It's inevitable we are going to strengthen in those areas.

 

[Fracture90]

Just goes to show, he needs a mile of space behind the defence to even consider making that run. With his pace and ability with the ball, playing on the defender's shoulder should be his bread and butter, yet he never opts to take that route. He's always waiting for the ball at his feet.

It's not that simple, it really isn't just about player making a run, the player who's got the ball must also anticipate that incoming run before sending the pass.

Plenty of times you had Rashford, Lingard, Mikhi and even Martial making those runs only for Blind, Herrera, Fellaini and even Carrick opting not to try to send the pass.

He could definitely work on that part of this game, I agree with that.

 

[Tarrou]

Is it just me or has he bulked up a bit?

 

[gajender]

Virtually no chance I would say. I doubt even think the likes of Lingard or Rashford will get as many minutes as they have so far this season.

Though I don't quite share your high confidence but even I believe Martial would remain at United and hopefully play important part next season for us ,but one thing for sure if Rashford and Lingard get the similar game time which they have gotton this season we would struggle to get top 4 next season as well.

 

[MadMike]

Agreed.

Also as others have said, he needs that confidence up. He just needs to keep working hard.

I don't think you just get confidence from training though. He needs to get some more minutes from Jose to maybe get a couple of goals that would boost his confidence. For example, Rashford's been pretty poor in front of goal this season but Jose keeps giving him minutes (rightly so, credit to Jose). Martial's dropped after a poor game and is next seen 3 games later.

Obviously I don't know how well he does in training, so I'm not bashing Mou, but confidence is gained on the pitch not the training ground.

 

[Fracture90]

Is it just me or has he bulked up a bit?

I've noticed the same, he looks bigger.