Even David Moyes would have the common sense to start Martial every game. Our attack is fecking shit for the most part; he's the one standout talent, and he's sat on the fecking bench 80% of the time.
9
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 45
- Goals
- 11
- Assists
- 11
- Yellow cards
- 1
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As the weeks pass this season outwith Pogba, Martial is the only player with the ball at his feet who has any quality.
Have to agree with what some are saying. We brought him on then decided to play hoof ball.
Have to agree with what some are saying. We brought him on then decided to play hoof ball.
That's the flaw with Mourinho's tactic of keeping one of our three best attackers on bench for later influence. It will not always work. Barcelona had Messi, Neymar and Suarez. Did Enrique think "hey i need one out of these three on the bench or my bench would look bare"? You play your best players, simple as that. He's not even choosing players on form.
I doubt there is any other team or manager out there who would keep benching their most talented and potent attacker for some bizarre reasons.
Top managers find ways to play their best players or attackers in our specific case and it's not like playing Martial and Rashford together is some hairsplitting connondrum.
Only so long that strategy will work though. Won't work every single time.
Other teams start their best attackers: Liverpool start Salah, Coutinho and Mane. Spurs start Kane, Eriksen and Alli. Arsenal are probably the only other top side who don't (see: putting Lacazette on the bench) and that hasn't worked out for them.
he doesnt have a fight in him. he is like Mikhi
Don't think the problem is him starting or getting benched at all tbh. Just a poor game as the rest of his teammates.
I don't think anyone played well today anyway.
He had a couple of decent moments but struggled to get into the game as we pretty much went for pumpball to the mop and he was left chasing scraps.
Under Pep he and Rashford would be formidable. Under Mourinho I guess Jones and Youngie are formidable for us now. Somewhat.
Give him to Pep, he would know how to use him. 
Don't you remember the semi-final against Everton? Or last year against Middlesbrough? There was probably loads more in LvG's season. He's always one of the few players we have who always offers something when the going gets tough.
That's the thing - if you had Martial and Rashford under Pep they'd be tearing teams apart together, but on the flip side if José had Sané and Sterling they'd never start a game together in the league.
I'm hoping José saw some sense towards the end of the Chelsea game and at least gives them 2 along with Lukaku a run together. Not just one game but a few so that they build up an understanding.
That period in the game made the likelihood of all of them starting even slimmer. Fellaini was the biggest threat when they were all on the pitch (he was also the biggest threat to our own goal
).Playing Martial and Rashford in a 4-3-3 just means one more player that is isolated. We do not have the right profile of midfielder to play a traditional 4-3-3, Matic and Pogba are fine, but Hererra and Fellaini are not good enough on the ball to play in a midfield 3.
I think it'd be harsh to judge how them 3 would get on together on that showing. They were all on together when the game was hectic and we seemingly had no game plan at all. Then we went to the hoofing. I wouldn't be surprised if it put José off, though. I just felt that José finally leaving them on together meant he knew this was our best option in getting something from the game (a game he was desperate to win because Chelsea) and I hope he finally gives them a run. It probably won't be until Pogba's back at least - maybe until Zlatan is.That period in the game made the likelihood of all of them starting even slimmer. Fellaini was the biggest threat when they were all on the pitch (he was also the biggest threat to our own goal
Playing Martial and Rashford in a 4-3-3 just means one more player that is isolated. We do not have the right profile of midfielder to play a traditional 4-3-3, Matic and Pogba are fine, but Hererra and Fellaini are not good enough on the ball to play in a midfield 3.
I've said it a few times but I think if we just swapped Herrera and Matic's roles we might be alright with this formation. Herrera's played his best stuff as our deepest midfielder and Matic could make a fine box to box mid. Or, in Jan, I'd love for us to go for Viera and have him alongside Pogba in front of Matic which isn't likely admittedly.
Soon we'll have to break the heart of either Martial or Rashford and put them on bench more or ask them to compromise by playing on the right.
Nice to see he’s got the right attitude and is staying positive at least.
At least this will stop that nonsensical falsehood from some about Martial being happy with his current situation and sitting on the bench.
No talented young player would ever be happy or content with some bench role, this only seems plausible in those delusional enough to believe so.
People thinking this in and out of the first 11 from Martial and Rashford is ideal and Mourinho is pulling a masterstroke with some excellent man management are lying to themselves.
No talented young player would ever be happy or content with some bench role, this only seems plausible in those delusional enough to believe so.
People thinking this in and out of the first 11 from Martial and Rashford is ideal and Mourinho is pulling a masterstroke with some excellent man management are lying to themselves.
It's not sustainable what Mourinho is doing, at some point (Martial specially) one of them will wanna leave. This current situation makes it very hard for him to be a serious contender for the WC squad even if he is selected for the upcoming friendlies.
Yeah. I think he'd jump at the chance to join another club next summer if things don't change by then.
I’ve said it numerous times - Martial, Rashford and even Shaw could become KDB-esque regrets for United if Mourinho is allowed to force them out of the club with his awful management of them.
The Special Once will be gone within 18 months maximum anyway, while both players have the potential to be world class assets to the club for a decade - it’s an expensive price to pay for being graced with Jose’s presence via the Lowry hotel for a couple of years.
Van Gaal allowed Martial, Rashford and pre-injury Shaw to perform to their true potential, something that had he been able to continue, would have benefitted the club long-term more than Jose’s plastic trophy haul and the inevitable post-nuclear mess the club will find itself in when he back-doors it.
The Special Once will be gone within 18 months maximum anyway, while both players have the potential to be world class assets to the club for a decade - it’s an expensive price to pay for being graced with Jose’s presence via the Lowry hotel for a couple of years.
Van Gaal allowed Martial, Rashford and pre-injury Shaw to perform to their true potential, something that had he been able to continue, would have benefitted the club long-term more than Jose’s plastic trophy haul and the inevitable post-nuclear mess the club will find itself in when he back-doors it.
Some good points here and the manager has a lot to answer to. If this job goes t*ts up for Jose, that's it with the big clubs for him, because there are other managers who are emerging with different ideas and approaches... HOWEVER.. Martial has to step up too. He has many supporters on here, and in many ways I am one of them.. but I watch him and I rarely think that he is absolutely busting a gut to make something happen for himself and the team. He should ask himself why he has more of an impact off the bench than when he starts.
And maybe, just maybe, there is a sense of realism creeping in with Anthony Martial, because if he leaves, it will not be due to him not having adequate opportunities. He is at Man Utd, and he has to make it happen.
Good to see Martial looking sharp and happy in training with France.
Fair enough
Sometimes it's only when you see them training you realise how good top level footballers are.
Mourinho has to find a way to incorporate both Martial and Rashford into the team. They deserve it so far. I wouldn't say the same for someone like Mkhitaryan
Shaw has played 8 games less for Mourinho than for LvG and I haven't seen anything from him which suggests he should have played more, injuries aside. Shaw has some way to go.
Tbh, think this nonsense has to stop. Our two best talents fighting for the same spot when seasoned pros are stinking up the place.
Indeed.
You realize how crisp their movements and handling of the ball is. Quite a sight.
Absolutely. I can assume only the absence of another valid game changer, with pace, from the bench is weighing heavily on Mourinho? Take Rashford and Martial off the bench, and who would we have?
I’d try playing a front 6, on current form of:
—-Rashford—-Lukaku———Martial
————Pogba————Fellaini
———————Matic
Strength, power, pace and we’d dominate midfield. At least physically. Fellaini and Pogba both add a goal threat as well.
And at least we’d have some options on the bench who can influence the game (Mata, Mkhi, Herrera & Zlatan)
Think you are spot on although the only draw back is the amount of games both these kids have won for us coming off the bench. That’s the big difference with City their bench actually improves the team.
For instance if Sterling or Silva is playing poorly then Sane coming on improves them. Where as a poor performance by one of our starters and we are no better off for putting the likes of say Lingard on. The drop in quality to our subs and main starters is huge.
I was just thinking the same thing. They’d be a nightmare to play against on a 5 aside pitch with passing in such a tight space with that many bodies on it.
Pretty balanced formation to be honest. Fellaini does a great defensive job as well as attacking, as does Pogba.
Aye at least we can give both Rashford and Martial some time to start. And Fellaini has done well this season - especially in that advanced position. Not to mention the form of Mkhi, Mata and Herrera not being worthy of a starting spot.
But we’ll see. Maybe Pogbas return can reignite those around him.
Martial is not a flank player. I had said in the beginning when van dull placed him out on the flank because the lack of players, that it was a mistake and will slow down his development. He needs to be in the middle so that he can showcase his talent fully. Martial is more of a trequartista, a second striker, and should let him develop there.
When you see these guys train you realise how bloody good they are. Martial has some incredible footwork...stands out even with those other top players.
Lukaku will be all guns blazing when Pogba returns, and Rashford/Martial should have a bit more confidence making runs with having a better passer behind them.
Played for a little under 20 minutes, didn't show much of anything. He made some poor decisions with his passing. I'm curious to see what Deschamps will do with him on Tuesday. Also, off-topic but Lacazette was dreadful once again.
There's just something missing with Lacazette for me.
He doesn't do himself any favours with his nonchalance off the ball.
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