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Anthony Martial France flag

2016-17 Performances


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5.9 Season Average Rating
Appearances
42
Goals
8
Assists
8
Yellow cards
3
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3 strikers automatically makes for an unbalanced team unless 2 of them are also capable of being playmakers... like Messi/Neymar at Barca and Bale/Benzema at Madrid. Right now, only Ibra can help buildup out of Ibra/Rashford/Martial. Lingard is just useless so he's not an option either.

For Man Utd to find balance, Mkhitaryan is very important. I think it's a shame that Mourinho isn't using him because he's fantastic and has proven it. You can't play him 1 game and then sit him down because he wasn't able to perform. He's a rhythm player. Mkhitaryan needs to get games to find his rhythm.

Anyhow, imo Martial is miles better than Rashford on the wing. He just has much more game to him to play that position. Rashford is a better pure 9... but he's not playing the 9 position.

I honestly don't quite understand what Mourinho is doing. I didn't understand it his last season at Madrid and I also don't get what he wanted to do at Chelsea last year. It seems to me that unless his plan A works... Mourinho struggles to adapt. Well i hope he's learned because he needs to have more than one plan here.
He has only just got back from injury. Mou clearly brought him back too early seeing as his injury was aggravated through playing against City, so I'm not surprised he's being more patient this time around.
 
3 strikers automatically makes for an unbalanced team unless 2 of them are also capable of being playmakers... like Messi/Neymar at Barca and Bale/Benzema at Madrid. Right now, only Ibra can help buildup out of Ibra/Rashford/Martial. Lingard is just useless so he's not an option either.

For Man Utd to find balance, Mkhitaryan is very important. I think it's a shame that Mourinho isn't using him because he's fantastic and has proven it. You can't play him 1 game and then sit him down because he wasn't able to perform. He's a rhythm player. Mkhitaryan needs to get games to find his rhythm.

Anyhow, imo Martial is miles better than Rashford on the wing. He just has much more game to him to play that position. Rashford is a better pure 9... but he's not playing the 9 position.

I honestly don't quite understand what Mourinho is doing. I didn't understand it his last season at Madrid and I also don't get what he wanted to do at Chelsea last year. It seems to me that unless his plan A works... Mourinho struggles to adapt. Well i hope he's learned because he needs to have more than one plan here.
Still slightly injured, not allowed to go on international duty.
 


Hopefully he is starting to put his troubles behind him now. I'm sure he'll kick on after his goal :drool: Definitely one of my favorite players in our squad - what a fecking talent.
 
It's odd to think back to his debut against Liverpool. The caf wasn't exactly negative about his signing, but there was a sort of shellshocked vibe, very much 'we spent £36m on who?'

25 minutes later... 'oh, that's who.'

That's surely one of the best feelings in football, when you realise that your team have got their hands on someone really special. We should feel lucky that we've got both Martial and Rashford to enjoy. You have to be pretty jaded not to be excited by that.

 
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I can never forget when he scored against the Scousers.
I thought "he must be decent since he cost at much" but when I scored, I didn't even celebrate. I was like "feck me".
 
http://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/pays-bas-france-deschamps-s-occupe-du-cas-martial-1046087.html

Deschamps ripped into Martial during training for France NT today. Apparently, he was very unhappy with his intensity and discipline. Told him that god has given him a gift but it means nothing if he doesn't work harder (this part according to l'Equipe 21 talk show).

This is my issue with him as I've posted before. He doesn't apply himself enough. He doesn't play like he's hungry and really wants it. He has so much talent so will be a pretty good player even if he doesn't but if he can add that side to his game the sky is the limit for him. Watch how he approaches games compared to how Rashford does, day and night. That hunger and aggressiveness is so important in attackers for me. It's not about getting 'stuck in' or running around like a headless chicken. It's the moves you make on and off the ball, what you try when you're on the ball, how active you are, the goalscoring runs you make. Martial stands around a lot, let's the game pass him by, isn't near the ball to be at the end of moves. He always wants it to feet and he was still the best player in a team that barely created chances last season. Imagine what he could do on a good team with the added application. Scary.

He was starting to get the hang of it towards the back end of last season, so I'll be watching to see how he does coming back from the international break.
 
He always looks like angry and annoyed but it's great to see some passion from him when he scores like his reaction to the Stoke goal.
 
This is my issue with him as I've posted before. He doesn't apply himself enough. He doesn't play like he's hungry and really wants it. He has so much talent so will be a pretty good player even if he doesn't but if he can add that side to his game the sky is the limit for him. Watch how he approaches games compared to how Rashford does, day and night. That hunger and aggressiveness is so important in attackers for me. It's not about getting 'stuck in' or running around like a headless chicken. It's the moves you make on and off the ball, what you try when you're on the ball, how active you are, the goalscoring runs you make. Martial stands around a lot, let's the game pass him by, isn't near the ball to be at the end of moves. He always wants it to feet and he was still the best player in a team that barely created chances last season. Imagine what he could do on a good team with the added application. Scary.

He was starting to get the hang of it towards the back end of last season, so I'll be watching to see how he does coming back from the international break.

Kinda fits in with his girlfriend saying he enjoys partying and all the attention. He has a tendency of becoming complacent. I'm glad Deschamps went at him, the coaches have to keep him on his heels.
 
Body language experts at it again. Other than this alleged incident today, nothing has ever suggested that Martial lacks application and desire. He's generally expressionless when on the field, but that's a far cry from lacking hunger. His willingness to constantly want the ball puts an end to that argument.
 
Body language experts at it again. Other than this alleged incident today, nothing has ever suggested that Martial lacks application and desire. He's generally expressionless when on the field, but that's a far cry from lacking hunger. His willingness to constantly want the ball puts an end to that argument.

This exactly. Except for his debut goal, that whole period before all the personal life stuff came out, everyone was always on about about how expressionless and passionless his general body language is. There's no doubt he's probably in bit of a down period both at home and on the pitch (Euro's being a disaster for him) but it's all new to him. From being an overpriced teenager to carrying your whole team on your shoulders to being ruthlessly dropped from the national squad to having your number taken (not just any number) and being shifted to the wing etc. I think Mourinho has protected him well in front of the press, hopefully he can give him some encouragement behind the scenes.
 
He's always been a bit of a relaxed trainer apparently. So getting called out on it from time to time is most likely exactly what he needs. Wouldn't worry about it too much.
 
Body language experts at it again. Other than this alleged incident today, nothing has ever suggested that Martial lacks application and desire. He's generally expressionless when on the field, but that's a far cry from lacking hunger. His willingness to constantly want the ball puts an end to that argument.

Are you talking about @JaffyJoe 's post? He's not critical of his body language he's critical of his movement. Which is a fair point. He can be quite static and doesn't make many runs in behind. Look at Lingard against Stoke. Constantly moving and always providing an option. I think his criticism of Martial is absolutely fair. I also agree with him that his movement was improving towards the end of last season.
 
Here we go, from now on every time he is in poor form we'll hear from many experts here who attend United training every day that he isn't doing his best and that he is wasting his talent. One untrusted source is all that's needed to convince some people, altough some of them knew it from the first day they watched him on TV.
 
Body language experts at it again. Other than this alleged incident today, nothing has ever suggested that Martial lacks application and desire. He's generally expressionless when on the field, but that's a far cry from lacking hunger. His willingness to constantly want the ball puts an end to that argument.

I'm judging him by his actions on the pitch and the things that are being said about him. He has a tendency of standing around and waiting for the ball too much, which can be described as laziness and complacency.

I doubt Deschamps would criticize him harshly either if he didn't notice the same tendencies.
 
It wasn't harsh criticism by Deschamps... and it wasn't public. According to the article, he took him aside for 20 mins after practice and was very animated when talking to him.

The thing Martial needs to realize with France at least is that his competition is very stiff. You have Griezmann, Payet, Fekir, Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman and even Moussa Sissoko fighting for 2-3 spots on the pitch (depending on 433 or 4231). Before the Euro, Martial was the regular opposite Griezmann. Now, he's behind Griezmann, Payet, Sissoko and Coman. Fekir and Ousmane Dembele are just as talented as he is. So Deschamps wanted to make clear to him where he stood and why he keeps falling down the depth chart.

He's going to have to fight very, very, very hard to even stay on the France team, let alone become a regular. There's a lot of extremely talented kids pushing up too such as Mbappe and Lemar of Monaco, Augustin of PSG, Coco, etc. Deschamps gave him notice.
 
Well he went through his first crisis in his young life. It was bound to happen sooner or later. The rest he got will have done him some good though, at least physically he will have recovered by now from a very tough last season.
 
It wasn't harsh criticism by Deschamps... and it wasn't public. According to the article, he took him aside for 20 mins after practice and was very animated when talking to him.

The thing Martial needs to realize with France at least is that his competition is very stiff. You have Griezmann, Payet, Fekir, Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman and even Moussa Sissoko fighting for 2-3 spots on the pitch (depending on 433 or 4231). Before the Euro, Martial was the regular opposite Griezmann. Now, he's behind Griezmann, Payet, Sissoko and Coman. Fekir and Ousmane Dembele are just as talented as he is. So Deschamps wanted to make clear to him where he stood and why he keeps falling down the depth chart.

He's going to have to fight very, very, very hard to even stay on the France team, let alone become a regular. There's a lot of extremely talented kids pushing up too such as Mbappe and Lemar of Monaco, Augustin of PSG, Coco, etc. Deschamps gave him notice.
Who there plays striker? That's what you forgot when you started quoting those names. Martial is a magnificent striker in the longterm and it doesn't pay France to disgard him when you have fewer options in that position.
United should remember this is well, for as good as Martial played out wide last year he really is a striker. If he isn't performing to a high level anymore then maybe it's time for the wideman experiment to end.
 
It wasn't harsh criticism by Deschamps... and it wasn't public. According to the article, he took him aside for 20 mins after practice and was very animated when talking to him.

The thing Martial needs to realize with France at least is that his competition is very stiff. You have Griezmann, Payet, Fekir, Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman and even Moussa Sissoko fighting for 2-3 spots on the pitch (depending on 433 or 4231). Before the Euro, Martial was the regular opposite Griezmann. Now, he's behind Griezmann, Payet, Sissoko and Coman. Fekir and Ousmane Dembele are just as talented as he is. So Deschamps wanted to make clear to him where he stood and why he keeps falling down the depth chart.

He's going to have to fight very, very, very hard to even stay on the France team, let alone become a regular. There's a lot of extremely talented kids pushing up too such as Mbappe and Lemar of Monaco, Augustin of PSG, Coco, etc. Deschamps gave him notice.
His priority remains getting into form for Man Utd. And judging from his last game, hopefully, the signs are good.
 
Griezmann is a striker. So is Fekir. As far as central strikers, you have Gameiro and Lacazette now with Augustin, Odsonne Edouard and Moussa Dembele (Celtic) for the future in terms of similar profiles. Not to mention Benzema is going to come back in the next get together and he's only 29. Ben Yedder of Sevilla is starting to creep up (very talented). Of course, you also have Giroud and Gignac if you're looking for a different profile also.

Griezmann is undiputed and deservedly so. So the only positions Martial has a chance is central striker or winger... if you bring in wingers, you have Kingsley Coman and Ousmane Dembele who come into the picture. Then you have Thomas Lemar and Mbappe who are more like Payet

There is little to no chance he is going to get a look as a central striker at France NT unless he plays it for club however.
 
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It wasn't harsh criticism by Deschamps... and it wasn't public. According to the article, he took him aside for 20 mins after practice and was very animated when talking to him.

The thing Martial needs to realize with France at least is that his competition is very stiff. You have Griezmann, Payet, Fekir, Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman and even Moussa Sissoko fighting for 2-3 spots on the pitch (depending on 433 or 4231). Before the Euro, Martial was the regular opposite Griezmann. Now, he's behind Griezmann, Payet, Sissoko and Coman. Fekir and Ousmane Dembele are just as talented as he is. So Deschamps wanted to make clear to him where he stood and why he keeps falling down the depth chart.

He's going to have to fight very, very, very hard to even stay on the France team, let alone become a regular. There's a lot of extremely talented kids pushing up too such as Mbappe and Lemar of Monaco, Augustin of PSG, Coco, etc. Deschamps gave him notice.
Martial blows away all the young guns with the exception of Dembele on raw talent.
 
Completely disagree and I'm French + huge Martial fan. He's not more talented than Benzema, Griezmann, Fekir, Coman and Ousmane Dembele. It's too early to tell with Mbappe, Augustin and Odsonne Edouard. Martial did not look more talented than these kids in the U23 and earlier France NT ranks however. Mbappe actually looks more talented as a youth... and that's saying something. He's unbelievable.

Not saying Martial isn't very talented. But this is a golden generation for France right now. There's great talent everywhere. It won't carry him.
 
It's a pity Deschamps is in charge of this supposed golden generation.
 
Completely disagree and I'm French + huge Martial fan. He's not more talented than Benzema, Griezmann, Fekir, Coman and Ousmane Dembele. It's too early to tell with Mbappe, Augustin and Odsonne Edouard. Martial did not look more talented than these kids in the U23 and earlier France NT ranks however. Mbappe actually looks more talented as a youth... and that's saying something. He's unbelievable.

Not saying Martial isn't very talented. But this is a golden generation for France right now. There's great talent everywhere. It won't carry him.

In terms of talent, my top 3 would be Mbappe, Dembélé and then Benzema.
 
In terms of talent, my top 3 would be Mbappe, Dembélé and then Benzema.

From what I've seen of Dembele, that Mbappe must be ridiculous to be a better prospect than him, and especially Benzema, who was frighteningly good when he was 18.
 
Here's Mbappe in the U19 Euro Final against Italy. He's the one that does the sombrero right at the beginning and then crosses.



And a skills video from this past year

 
Are you talking about @JaffyJoe 's post? He's not critical of his body language he's critical of his movement. Which is a fair point. He can be quite static and doesn't make many runs in behind. Look at Lingard against Stoke. Constantly moving and always providing an option. I think his criticism of Martial is absolutely fair. I also agree with him that his movement was improving towards the end of last season.

I am. He says directly that Martial doesn't apply himself enough, which is impossible to properly assess.

Criticism of his movement is fair enough. It can be quite poor and probably the worst part of his game, to be honest. Often last season he'd be found nowhere near the ball when it was put into the box. Rashford, on the other hand, always seems to be right on time.

Generally, I think this can improved a little, but the nack of being in the right place at the right is one of those you either have or you don't. Movement is part of the reason I prefer Martial out wide, as he can get on the ball and use his dribbling to make an impression.
 
The thing is that they were training and preparing Martial at Monaco FOR YEARS to be the central striker... and the lone central striker at that. He doesn't really know how you're supposed to move as a winger. He was never a winger... always a second striker or the central one. When you look at how he plays the wing position and how he attacks players... that's the way a central striker attacks once he gets the ball.

I personally think both Martial and Rashford are wasted in the wide role in a 4231 (just like Pogba is wasted as a relaying CM). If Mourinho is truly about finding the system that best fits his talent... he goes with a 442 all day long. You can put Pogba as the attacking central CM, Martial or Rashford as the second striker next to Ibra. 2 of Mata, Mk----an, Rooney and Lingard can play the winger or wide CM roles.... and either Fellaini or Herrera as the defensive CM.

But it's as if Mourinho won't consider anything other than his base tactics. Very similar to LVG that way. It's frustrating.
 
The thing is that they were training and preparing Martial at Monaco FOR YEARS to be the central striker... and the lone central striker at that. He doesn't really know how you're supposed to move as a winger. He was never a winger... always a second striker or the central one. When you look at how he plays the wing position and how he attacks players... that's the way a central striker attacks once he gets the ball.

I personally think both Martial and Rashford are wasted in the wide role in a 4231 (just like Pogba is wasted as a relaying CM). If Mourinho is truly about finding the system that best fits his talent... he goes with a 442 all day long. You can put Pogba as the attacking central CM, Martial or Rashford as the second striker next to Ibra. 2 of Mata, Mk----an, Rooney and Lingard can play the winger or wide CM roles.... and either Fellaini or Herrera as the defensive CM.

But it's as if Mourinho won't consider anything other than his base tactics. Very similar to LVG that way. It's frustrating.
It could very well that Martial is best suited to being a striker. I don't think it's as set in stone that he's a left sided forward as the general discussion here wohld suggest. He's a kid who has hugely impressed in both positions. If his movement is as you say more of a central striker then eventually we should target that being his main position, replacing Ibra in a few yeats as our main man up top.
 
It could very well that Martial is best suited to being a striker. I don't think it's as set in stone that he's a left sided forward as the general discussion here wohld suggest. He's a kid who has hugely impressed in both positions. If his movement is as you say more of a central striker then eventually we should target that being his main position, replacing Ibra in a few yeats as our main man up top.

At Monaco he was mainly used as a left inside forward not as a genuine winger. But, and that's important, he was being moulded into a striker, it was the plan.
 
Ooo-err !

Yeah, he's sexy as hell too.

uDLoO6W4DYM.jpg
 
Martial was brilliant last season with 17 goals and 11 assists mostly from the left.

He hasn't done well since the end of last season, and it looks like it's simply form rather than position on the pitch. The things he was struggling with this season are things he could do last season with his eyes closed so we know he's capable of it over a sustained period (i.e. a whole
season).

I don't know, it just seems very convenient to come out with the "he's a striker, not a wide player" opinion given his form at the moment. Why wasn't that an issue when he was having the season of his life last year out wide?

It's just been a combination of form, fatigue and probably personal problems. It's been like this for only about two months, it's not like he's been terrible for even half a season let alone a full one.

People are just understandably judging him by higher expectations given what we saw last season but that doesn't mean it's correct to come out with hysterical long-term statements such as "he's not a wide player" or "he was never that talented anyway".

Let's slow down with the pointless revisionism, he's very clearly one of the elite young French talents and probably alongside Dembele has shown the most potential. Him going through a bad patch doesn't change that.
 
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