[dirkey]

Well i was speaking generally and commenting on people always banging on about attitude and players not training well when a player is frozen out.

Has Martial been frozen out right now? I don't know maybe he'll start 5-6 games before the end of the season, but i wouldn't put money on it.

No, you're right. I probably wouldn't put money on it either. But I don't really think he deserves to. I know what you'll say, he's a much better player than Lingard. And I'd agree. But does that mean he deserves to play over him? Not in my opinion, not when you consider the work rate Lingard gives you. Do I think we'd have won the game as easily today as we did with Martial in instead of Lingard? Obviously we can never know. But personally I don't think so. The harassment and effort the two lads put in up top clearly unsettled the Chelsea back line from the beginning. We wouldn't have had that from Martial.

If Martial is on form - he's worth his place in any team. But right now, he's not. And he doesn't give enough other stuff to merit his place to play himself into form in my opinion.

 

[dirkey]

Maybe not frozen out but if you're Martial right now I don't think you feel like a valued member of the squad. Which can't be good for a young player.

Which is my argument. I think you can motivate a player, drop a player, change their outlook, without ostracising them.

Maybe he doesn't. At the same time, we had Ibra and Mkh on the bench today. Did he deserve a spot ahead of either of them? Definitely not. And the team put out was clearly the right team, as evidenced not just by the result, but the manner, and complete control of the game that we exhibited.

Martial basically needs to realise that he's an individual in a collective. And that collective contains multiple other extremely talented individuals. You can't get by just on ability. He needs to show doggedness and determination to win back his place. We can't comment on training, but I really don't see it from him, in comparison to the other lads, when he's out there on the field.

 

[stevoc]

No, you're right. I probably wouldn't put money on it either. But I don't really think he deserves to. I know what you'll say, he's a much better player than Lingard. And I'd agree. But does that mean he deserves to play over him? Not in my opinion, not when you consider the work rate Lingard gives you. Do I think we'd have won the game as easily today as we did with Martial in instead of Lingard? Obviously we can never know. But personally I don't think so. The harassment and effort the two lads put in up top clearly unsettled the Chelsea back line from the beginning. We wouldn't have had that from Martial.

If Martial is on form - he's worth his place in any team. But right now, he's not. And he doesn't give enough other stuff to merit his place to play himself into form in my opinion.

Based on their performances on Thursday there wasn't much between them. Obviously with the benefit of hindsight Lingard played well today and justified his selection. But he could have easily been on the bench, being dropped to the bench after every poor performance clearly isn't working so i'm not sure if anything positive will result from leaving him out of the squad completely.

Martial isn't on form but Mourinho has to take some of the blame for that. He has handled him badly in my opinion, this thing he does where he drops some players after a bad performance presumably as a kick up the arse might work with some people but you can't use a blanket approach like that as man management. Players are humans, they are all different, some will respond to being dropped as an incentive to work harder. But some won't, some will probably feel they are being punished and it will affect their confidence.

Its an old cliche but some players need a boot up the arse and some need an arm around their shoulder. Ferguson knew that and has said a much and he was a master of man management in my opinion.

 

[Dobbs]

Maybe he doesn't. At the same time, we had Ibra and Mkh on the bench today. Did he deserve a spot ahead of either of them? Definitely not. And the team put out was clearly the right team, as evidenced not just by the result, but the manner, and complete control of the game that we exhibited.

Martial basically needs to realise that he's an individual in a collective. And that collective contains multiple other extremely talented individuals. You can't get by just on ability. He needs to show doggedness and determination to win back his place. We can't comment on training, but I really don't see it from him, in comparison to the other lads, when he's out there on the field.

I would have had him on the bench, probably instead of Blind. In isolation it wouldn't have been a big deal. It's just when it( dropped from team and squad) happens on a fairly regular basis it can't be good for confidence etc.

I'm sure there's a way of shaping a young player whilst keeping up his confidence and sense of importance. In fact I know there is because we watched the master do it for a couple of decades.

 

[dirkey]

Based on their performances on Thursday there wasn't much between them. Obviously with the benefit of hindsight Lingard played well today and justified his selection. But he could have easily been on the bench, being dropped to the bench after every poor performance clearly isn't working so i'm not sure if anything positive will result from leaving him out of the squad completely.

Martial isn't on form but Mourinho has to take some of the blame for that. He has handled him badly in my opinion, this thing he does where he drops some players after a bad performance presumably as a kick up the arse might work with some people but you can't use a blanket approach like that as man management. Players are humans, they are all different, some will respond to being dropped as an incentive to work harder. But some won't, some will probably feel they are being punished and it will affect their confidence.

Its an old cliche but some players need a boot up the arse and some need an arm around their shoulder. Ferguson knew that and has said a much and he was a master of man management in my opinion.

I know what you mean. At the same time, Martial's bad performances last summer, whose fault were they? It's up to Martial, in training and in cameos to show what he can do. If he doesn't like Jose's approach, fair enough. He'll be the one to lose out, as he'll be the one to leave.

I agree that both weren't great on Thursday, for me, Martial was far worse, he was brutal. Like I say, it's Lingard's effort that's getting him the nod, and that's understandable. Two out of form players, one gives you graft, the other does to some extent, but not nearly as much - I'd choose the one with graft every time. Until the more skillful one shows similar graft, or form when given the opportunity.

And he has had more than enough opportunity in my opinion. I don't think you can just stick someone in for 10 games when they've not shown much when given the chance.

Nothing positive might result in him being left out of the squad today with regard to Martial's United career. But, the match was won. And that's the main thing. Thus the team, and squad selection, were correct in my opinion. Ultimately you have to have replacements for various areas of the pitch. We had enough attacking cover with Ibra and Mkh. An out of form Martial didn't warrant inclusion in my opinion.

 

[dirkey]

I would have had him on the bench, probably instead of Blind. In isolation it wouldn't have been a big deal. It's just when it( dropped from team and squad) happens on a fairly regular basis it can't be good for confidence etc.

I'm sure there's a way of shaping a young player whilst keeping up his confidence and sense of importance. In fact I know there is because we watched the master do it for a couple of decades.

You see, I'm definitely not Blind's biggest fan. But you have to have him on the bench there as insurance against injury to centre half in my opinion. I think the 2 attacking players we had on the bench were more than enough.

It's true, his confidence might take a hit. I personally don't care. He needs to put in the graft and prove himself worthy of inclusion. He hasn't recently, as such, he can't assume he's going to be guaranteed a place in the squad.

 

[stevoc]

I know what you mean. At the same time, Martial's bad performances last summer, whose fault were they? It's up to Martial, in training and in cameos to show what he can do. If he doesn't like Jose's approach, fair enough. He'll be the one to lose out, as he'll be the one to leave.

At the Euros? Martial won't have been the first or last young player to not transfer his club form to an international tournament.

I agree that both weren't great on Thursday, for me, Martial was far worse, he was brutal. Like I say, it's Lingard's effort that's getting him the nod, and that's understandable. Two out of form players, one gives you graft, the other does to some extent, but not nearly as much - I'd choose the one with graft every time. Until the more skillful one shows similar graft, or form when given the opportunity.

Personally i thought Lingard was brutal as well, but thats besides the point. As to who i would choose in that scenario you outline. Honestly i would choose the more talented player every time. You have to have faith that eventually that talent will shine if you trust a young player who you know is good. It's the harder decision and takes a bit of bravery to do that over going with the limited grafter who you know will put in a shift.

But at the end of the day this is Manchester United taking risks on talented young players should always be the option that is chosen.

 

[dirkey]

At the Euros? Martial won't have been the first or last young player to not transfer his club form to an international tournament.



Personally i thought Lingard was brutal as well, but thats besides the point. As to who i would choose in that scenario you outline. Honestly i would choose the more talented player every time. You have to have faith that eventually that talent will shine if you trust a young player who you know is good. It's the harder decision and takes a bit of bravery to do that over going with the limited grafter who you know will put in a shift.

But at the end of the day this is Manchester United taking risks on talented young players should always be the option that is chosen.

I think that sends the wrong message though? Take a player with God given talent, who isn't doing what you ask of him in training, nor showing graft / determination on the field? (Obviously we don't know if this is the case, with regard to training, but the graft / determination on the field, I think we can see).

Obviously it's all opinions. That's just what I think. I'd be a player thinking "Hmm, I'm busting my a$$ doing x, y and z, he's pottering around doing nothing .. and yet he gets to start regardless?".

 

[stevoc]

I think that sends the wrong message though? Take a player with God given talent, who isn't doing what you ask of him in training, nor showing graft / determination on the field? (Obviously we don't know if this is the case, with regard to training, but the graft / determination on the field, I think we can see).

Send the wrong message to who? Lingard?

You said it yourself we don't know what he is or isn't doing in training so lets stop mentioning it every 3rd-4th post like its fact, for all we know he could be doing everything asked of him in training.

Besides i think Martials lack of workrate is being exaggerated. He's tracked back fine most of the time this season, no more or less than he did last season. Everyone seemed fine with his workrate when he was banging in goals every other week last year.

Obviously it's all opinions. That's just what I think. I'd be a player thinking "Hmm, I'm busting my a$$ doing x, y and z, he's pottering around doing nothing .. and yet he gets to start regardless?".

You could just as easily flip that though, very talented players even young ones know they are talented. Quite often that comes with a big ego, the talented player could think he is doing everything that is asked of him but for whatever reason his form is off. Instead of being helped and encouraged he is being continually dropped to the bench or the stand in favour of inferior player/s. Martial is the player here who will be much harder to replace should he get pissed off and want out, he's the one that all the stops should be pulled out to ensure he develops into a world class player.

Everyone loves a little grafter but this is Manchester United and grafters don't win you league titles or champions leagues. Its not fair of course but life isn't fair, in football there aren't many players with Martials talent. Seems crazy to me that we risk losing a potentially world class player over this sort of short sighted bullshit.

 

[Santoryo]

People acting like Martial has been managed properly this season are either being deliberately obtuse or simply ignorant.

You take the WB game for example where all our attacking front were poor. Out of all of them Martial received the harshest punishment by being completely taken out of the line up for the next coming games while Rashford get given another chance to correct his wrong in another game.

One youngster plays knowing any mistake or poor performance will cost him dearly while the other has that bit of freedom to fail but will be picked up by his manager and given another chance to right his wrongs.

This is an obvious case of poor management. Martial shouldn't be getting taken out from the squad after every single bad performances. This is what hasn't been helping the kid, he's under immense pressure from his maanger and playing with a huge load. Heck even Mou straight up once said Martial need a magnificent performance just to get into the squad, that's bloody absurd.

Any player who get flanked on the side after every single poor performance wouldn't have manage to get going. There is no one in our squad who would have managed to make anything of this season had they been managed as awfully as Martial.

One or 2 bad performance resulting in a player out of the squad means they aren't finding any footing.

We sat here this season watching Zlatan go through a drought serving poor performances one after another. We've seen my boy Pogger not turn up for games in a row, all our attacking players failing to deliver weeks in a row. But they still remained in the squad, still called upon and given countless chances to right their wrongs.

Martial isn't being afforded such luxury. It's either light up the place or bust. No second, third, fourth etc chance to bounce back. He gets kicked out of the squad for 3 games then benched for 4 more before ever getting another chance. And by then his confidence is shaky while playing with fear and shackles in his mind as to not make mistakes because they happen to be ridiculously costly to him.

 

[Jonno]

Maybe you've miss enterpreted the whole situation @Santoryo

Maybe he's being removed not for his poor performances, but for his mindset and attitude.

Evidence that supports this is that poor form from Pogba, Zlatan, Rashford earlier in the season didn't result in the same dropping process, maybe they have much better mindsets and attitudes.

Players with less ability than Martial have come into the side and played MUCH better than he has this season. Young, Fellaini, Lingard, feck even Darmian have come in and done their jobs very well.

Maybe you're looking at it wrong, I don't think he's been dropped because of one or two bad performances, it's not about how well he's played, it's because his attitude isn't good enough, he doesn't want to play for the manager as much as the others.

I'd take Ashley Young over Martial any day based on attitude, commitment and effort.

 

[Gasolin]

Transfermarkt says Martial is at 24 goals now for United.

http://www.transfermarkt.com/anthon...&verein=985&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=

Would it be possible that Mourinho doesn't play much Martial because he doesn't want to trigger the 25 goals bonus supposedly in the transfer contract that would be 10M EUR (art. 2.4.(a) of the contract)?

 

[kouroux]

I hope he watched closely Rashford yesterday and realized that it is the kinda energetic performance needed from him. Yes they're different players, with different roles bla bla bla. Rashford is younger than him though and is prefered by Mourinho, I'm sure working hard for the team hasn't hindered his playing minutes.

 

[3KDré]

Transfermarkt says Martial is at 24 goals now for United.

http://www.transfermarkt.com/anthon...&verein=985&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=

Would it be possible that Mourinho doesn't play much Martial because he doesn't want to trigger the 25 goals bonus supposedly in the transfer contract that would be 10M EUR (art. 2.4.(a) of the contract)?

I am almost certain Mourinho doesn't give a toss about that.

 

[Lawman]

Maybe you've miss enterpreted the whole situation @Santoryo

Maybe he's being removed not for his poor performances, but for his mindset and attitude.

Evidence that supports this is that poor form from Pogba, Zlatan, Rashford earlier in the season didn't result in the same dropping process, maybe they have much better mindsets and attitudes.

Players with less ability than Martial have come into the side and played MUCH better than he has this season. Young, Fellaini, Lingard, feck even Darmian have come in and done their jobs very well.

Maybe you're looking at it wrong, I don't think he's been dropped because of one or two bad performances, it's not about how well he's played, it's because his attitude isn't good enough, he doesn't want to play for the manager as much as the others.

I'd take Ashley Young over Martial any day based on attitude, commitment and effort.

Yep Jose has called out both Shaw and Martial for attitudes and although both two of my favourite players I feel the manager is 100% correct. I hope both fall into line if not they'll be rightly gone and look back in years to come with regret imo.

 

[Festive Sandvich]

Yep Jose has called out both Shaw and Martial for attitudes and although both two of my favourite players I feel the manager is 100% correct. I hope both fall into line if not they'll be rightly gone and look back in years to come with regret imo.

Without knowing much/any detail about the problems Jose has with these two, seems from the outside looking in that it might be a much easier thing to fix with Luke (i.e. get him to start training/eating properly) than Tony. Jose knows there is a potential world class forward in there somewhere behind that sulky and occasionally disinterested exterior, but needs time and a bit more psychology to unlock him. I don't like the idea of brinkmanship with these special young players either, but I too trust Jose and don't think we'll see the best of them without him getting his boot up their arses a bit.

 

[K2K]

Possible second season syndrome too. He can turn it around though.

 

[GM K]

Maybe you've miss enterpreted the whole situation @Santoryo

Maybe he's being removed not for his poor performances, but for his mindset and attitude.

Evidence that supports this is that poor form from Pogba, Zlatan, Rashford earlier in the season didn't result in the same dropping process, maybe they have much better mindsets and attitudes.

Players with less ability than Martial have come into the side and played MUCH better than he has this season. Young, Fellaini, Lingard, feck even Darmian have come in and done their jobs very well.

Maybe you're looking at it wrong, I don't think he's been dropped because of one or two bad performances, it's not about how well he's played, it's because his attitude isn't good enough, he doesn't want to play for the manager as much as the others.

I'd take Ashley Young over Martial any day based on attitude, commitment and effort.

Very spot on mate.

I think people forget that the games we watch are just a tiny bit of what managers see daily. A manager sees a player on and off the pitch. He sees his attitude, response to instructions, commitment to training, chemistry with team mates, respect for senior player and other coaches, etc.

So the question is, what is Jose seeing in Martial that we are not seeing? I am guessing that Rashford keeps playing not just because of his talent but because of his attitude. You don't just get that impression from Jose's comments but also from his team mates, especially the senior players. I listened to Giggs yesterday and he affirmed the same thing about Rashford.

Jose could be wrong about Martial as many great managers have been about some young talents but we don't really know what's going on and we can simply conclude that he is mismanaging Martial.

Unless it is a case of pure victimization, I would say that the ball is in Martial's court to turn things around. From Jose's history, he really wouldn't mind selling him off if he wants to go.

 

[Litch]

I think a good offer he'll be sold or loaned out. We will be buying a top draw forward or two depending if Ibra stays. That just increases the pressure for the top 3 positions. Lingard and Rash are in front of him, as is Mata and Mikki. Honestly he needs football and I'm not sure she's gonna get any here....

 

[itso 7]

Up to him to save his United career, Mourinho seems willing to give a chance but he hasn't sustained a good run of form this season. Manchester United should not and can not wait for anyone.

 

[Fracture90]

Maybe he's being removed not for his poor performances, but for his mindset and attitude.

I feel this is just the easiest assumption to make, which can just as easily go the other way.

Could be that his attitude and mindset is right but Mourinho just doesn't fancy him. After all we know what happened to BFS.

 

[11101]

People acting like Martial has been managed properly this season are either being deliberately obtuse or simply ignorant.

Martial should have been sitting on the sidelines yesterday watching Young up and down the flank all game long. Running back, running without the ball, and going wherever the game needed to go. It's not about what he can do when he gets the ball. Hazard thought it was and let himself break Chelsea's game. Young lacks the ability but he knows how to play the team game better than either of them.

It's irrelevant what happens to other players, Rashford/Zlatan can afford to slack off defensively. Martial is not playing as a striker. He needs to up his energy levels if he wants to succeed in any other position.

 

[Carl]

Off in the Summer, and he'll do brilliantly wherever he goes (like Shaw)

 

[kouroux]

Martial should have been sitting on the sidelines yesterday watching Young up and down the flank all game long. Running back, running without the ball, and going wherever the game needed to go. It's not about what he can do when he gets the ball. Hazard thought it was and let himself break Chelsea's game. Young lacks the ability but he knows how to play the team game better than either of them.

It's irrelevant what happens to other players, Rashford/Zlatan can afford to slack off defensively. Martial is not playing as a striker. He needs to up his energy levels if he wants to succeed in any other position.

I agree with this. Managers can expect different things from different players but there must be a basic level of requirements that Martial isn't fulfilling at the moment. Young is an average player in general but such a good player to have in the squad. You know with him that it will be 100% all the time in terms of effort on and off the ball. With Martial, you don't have that guarantee and maybe that is what Mourinho dislikes about him.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I hope he watched closely Rashford yesterday and realized that it is the kinda energetic performance needed from him. Yes they're different players, with different roles bla bla bla. Rashford is younger than him though and is prefered by Mourinho, I'm sure working hard for the team hasn't hindered his playing minutes.

Exactly. I read an interesting stat a few weeks back. Last season Martial fouled more opposition players than almost anyone in our team. He was properly getting stuck in. For some reason this isn't happening any more. Whether he's headwrecked about his domestic dramas, thinks he's a star who doesn't need to work hard or just having a really bad second season it's up to him to turn things round.

 

[togg]

Exactly. I read an interesting stat a few weeks back. Last season Martial fouled more opposition players than almost anyone in our team. He was properly getting stuck in. For some reason this isn't happening any more. Whether he's headwrecked about his domestic dramas, thinks he's a star who doesn't need to work hard or just having a really bad second season it's up to him to turn things round.

Probably a combination of all those things. But I do think he's never been quite the same since his domestic life imploded. There does seem to be a big Martial love in on here, regardless of the blatant evidence that he really hasn't performed this season. Also, as we know, none of us are party to the training sessions or the coaches reports/meeting/analysis with Mourinho. Something has been going on which I'm sure will all come out one day!

 

[Dobbs]

He hasn't played well but the idea he's been lazy on the pitch is a fallacy. His work rate has been fine. However the seed has been planted now so fans are running away with the notion.

 

[Garethw]

Transfermarkt says Martial is at 24 goals now for United.

http://www.transfermarkt.com/anthon...&verein=985&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=

Would it be possible that Mourinho doesn't play much Martial because he doesn't want to trigger the 25 goals bonus supposedly in the transfer contract that would be 10M EUR (art. 2.4.(a) of the contract)?

A winning goal in a PL or EL tie could potentially be worth a lot more than €10 million in the scheme of things. The fact that he's been played recently is a clear indication that Mourinho doesn't care about this Claus.

Martial has been dropped because he's been shit and his attitude allegedly stinks.

 

[Garethw]

He hasn't played well but the idea he's been lazy on the pitch is a fallacy. His work rate has been fine. However the seed has been planted now so fans are running away with the notion.

His off the ball movement is horrendously shit. He just stands like a statue waiting for the ball rather than looking to move into space. This can come across as looking lazy imo.

It's an area of his game he really needs to work on.

If you could amalgamate Lingard's off the ball movement with Martial's dribbling and close control we'd have a fantastic player.

 

[Oscie]

I don't think things look good for him. Manager is clearly not happy about our attacking options. We know Rooney is going but he's injured/unfit/benched all the time anyway. Ibrahimovic is on eleventy-billion goals this season and Rashford, whilst not having a great record himself, has proven he can follow tactical instruction and got the nod to lead the line against probably the most difficult home game of the season.

Especially when you consider Jose clearly likes Lingard, whatever my own personal views are on him.

Genuinely wouldn't be surprised if he's gone in the summer.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He hasn't played well but the idea he's been lazy on the pitch is a fallacy. His work rate has been fine. However the seed has been planted now so fans are running away with the notion.

You say it's a fallacy. Other people, who watch the same games, disagree. How do you explain the fact he's making much fewer tackles this season than last?

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

If he had half the desire of Lingard and Rashford, he'd be walking into the side. As it is, he currently doesnt do enough, which is a shame because hes a superb talent.

If we continue to play two up top, I would like to see him partnered with one of Rashford or Lingard - someone who will run in behind, thus creating a bit of room for Martial.

I think its right to drop him because at the moment he's not doing enough, but I hope Jose doesnt get rid of him at the end of the season.

 

[ivaldo]

Where are these myths about Martial sulking coming from. This is such a lazy and poor argument to throw around.

Yet the 'Mourinho comes in and decides to dislike and mistreat Martial for no reason' line of thought is sound and based in hard facts.

 

[NotQuiteManc]

His off the ball movement is horrendously shit. He just stands like a statue waiting for the ball rather than looking to move into space. This can come across as looking lazy imo.

It's an area of his game he really needs to work on.

If you could amalgamate Lingard's off the ball movement with Martial's dribbling and close control we'd have a fantastic player.

Agree. Probably somehow related to Mou's comment about Chicarito recently where his instinct is to attack and attack, not to mention intelligent off the ball movements and finishing skill. Tony has the dribbling skills but really lacking in the movement area, which is why I don't think he is ready for the CF position. Even Rashford has more in his locker as a CF than Tony at the moment.

 

[KM]

I don't care about his tackles but I just want him to make some off the ball runs rather than standing at one place and then passing it to other. He deserves to be dropped this season, hopefully he comes back strong next season because we know he has the talent to do so.

 

[AN17]

Manchester United should not and can not wait for anyone.

Absurd and elitist thing to say, when we are the ones who spent a truck load of cash on an inexperienced and unfinished youngster. If we can't give him proper guidance and time, a little bit of patience and tolerate a few mistakes due to inexperience, may be we shouldn't be bidding for a player of that profile. United's job doesn't end on signing him, it's only the beginning.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

De Ja Vu. The same stuff was being said about Mkhi and Shaw (only a week ago) and both have come back well (not great, but good enough). I'm sure Martial will be back. Mourinho has managed our youngsters well and this guy is the most talented of the lot. Our resident body language experts are more often wrong than not.

 

[KM]

Off in the Summer, and he'll do brilliantly wherever he goes (like Shaw)

Same stuff was being said about when AdM left us(Paris tried to sell him to China). It's not the potential but the attitude which is the most important thing. Martial will stay but Shaw will leave and not have a great career unless he changes his attitude. Pochettino, LvG, Hodgson and now Mourinho have all criticized him for fitness.

 

[Oscie]

Mkhitaryan and Shaw were being kept out of the side due to attitude/training. Not the same as being given opportunities but steadily falling further and further down the pecking order. Martial has been given chances and increasingly the the manager dislikes what he sees. We know the manager isn't happy with our forward line and if you consider how irrelevant Rooney's been this season our 'forward' players are Martial, Ibrahimovic, Rashford, Lingard and Mkhitaryan. We know he likes Lingard, trusts Rashford, Ibrahimovic scores all the goals and Mkhitaryan impressed to go from out he outside of the squad to an integral player.

There is only one player there who sticks out.

Unless the argument is 'Mourinho will address issues with our forward players this season by changing absolutely none of them', then sure Martial will stay. But we all know that isn't happening.

It'll be a shame to see him go as he has enormous potential but at the same time so does Rashford. When your team isn't scoring there's only so much 'potential' you can accommodate.

 

[el3mel]

You take the WB game for example where all our attacking front were poor. Out of all of them Martial received the harshest punishment by being completely taken out of the line up for the next coming games while Rashford get given another chance to correct his wrong in another game.

Because he was the worst one of them , easy.

Rashford is a striker and him performing depend on the other players capable of providing him chances or not. He won't build the attack or create chances alone against a team parking the bus ,he's the one to finish those chances , not like Martial who's supposed to create the attack and be the source of creativity. Lingard was the only one of our 3 players behind Rashford was moving everywhere making dribbles and runs and did very good effort. Mikhi and Martial were the ones who didn't do their job this day.

IMO Rashford , Lingard and even Mikhi are all earning their place in the team with their work rate or productivity or both. What will make Jose prefer Rashford over Martial ? There's no reason he'll have an agenda against Martial. It's the fact that Rashford earns his place by his work rate and fighting on the pitch whether he's a starter or a sub. He had off days but was never lazy on the pitch and that was Jose loves in his players, same as Lingard .

Talent alone won't take you the top of the world. Ronaldo wasn't just a player with great talent but extremely hard worker who never stopped training and never was lazy in any game. This is the attitude Martial should learn if he wants to survive in any top team.