9
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 45
- Goals
- 11
- Assists
- 11
- Yellow cards
- 1
- Status
Great finish today. I thought he was quite poor in the first 20-30 minutes of the game but then grew in the game a lot more after that. The goal that Martial scored today, you simply don't ever expect Lukaku to score a goal like that. I think having Martial instead of Lukaku in our attack made it a lot more difficult for Everton. Martial didn't exactly make some great runs today (something that remains an issue in his game and has to be addressed), but what he did do was stay involved in the build up and remain a threat throughout his time on the pitch. Lukaku on the other hand is static and we resort to pumping crosses into the box in hopes that he scores a header, which makes our attack extremely predictable and one dimensional.
I agree with others who think that Martial's best role as probably as part of a front two in a 3-5-2 formation. He probably isn't ready to be a lone striker up front but he should definitely do well in a second striker type role.
I agree with others who think that Martial's best role as probably as part of a front two in a 3-5-2 formation. He probably isn't ready to be a lone striker up front but he should definitely do well in a second striker type role.
Martial was basically a false 9 today. As much as his movement is criticised, it made it harder for Everton to deal with. A lot of PL defenders are made to look good because they know how to defend ‘PL football’. The likes of Williams, Keane and co are strong guys who come to a match looking for a fight with a striker, heading many crosses out all day. Lukaku may have won the fight today, but I think it could have gone the other way too. Those defenders stood no chance against a forward line with skill and movement. Our game against Southampton showed it too. Constant crosses made Hoedt look like a man mountain. Pull him about at speed and he will look the player he actually is.
This is also why City are faring so well. Playing with a target man is just setting yourself up for a battle you don’t need to get involved in.
Indeed. I believe we made a mistake signing Lukaku, not the profile or talent of player to make us the best in the modern game.
I actually think Lukaku could play well in a 433 but he’s not being given the opportunity because Jose will only ever play him as a targetman. I really hope he learns from today and sees that’s how you need to play against PL teams to get success now. City have been doing it all season.
Crazy as it sounds, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing Lukaku play from the right of a 3 a bit more.
Could not believe some of the nonsense comments in the match thread. He was isolated up front and had 2-3 on him at all times. Not even Pogba would've held up the play in that situation.
To get the best out of Martial you need to have him in a fast moving attack (like 2nd half today). He's not great with his back to the defender, he's not a Drogba type player.
Brilliant player with buckets of talent. In the right set up he'd shit all over Sane and sterling who everyone is banging on about lately.
To get the best out of Martial you need to have him in a fast moving attack (like 2nd half today). He's not great with his back to the defender, he's not a Drogba type player.
Brilliant player with buckets of talent. In the right set up he'd shit all over Sane and sterling who everyone is banging on about lately.
Pretty sure Lukaku knows how to get success in the Premier League. Been doing it for a few years now. We're reading a lot into one game.
What we learned today is that whoever is up front we shouldn't be using them as a traditional target man. Lukaku can pull to the left and right effectively if we want to play that way.
Really pleased for Martial today though.
That’s what I just said? Lukaku isn’t being allowed that freedom currently in the usual formation. He would in a 433.
And repeat what we've been doing with no success the past 3-4 games? No thanks.
"50 million down the drain, Tony Martial scores again."
Ah sorry. I thought you said Lukaku might learn from today. I shouldn't have as your post was perfectly clear.
Super goal. Clever movement too, to drop back at the edge of the box.
More to come from him. Love the way he drifts into the left channel when he starts up top, where he can run at players, whilst the left winger (Lingard today) moves inside. So much movement and interchangeability.
Unfortunately, he won't get much time as a striker, but if we play a 433, with Martial as a wide forward, he will be able to find himself in goal-scoring positions more often.
More to come from him. Love the way he drifts into the left channel when he starts up top, where he can run at players, whilst the left winger (Lingard today) moves inside. So much movement and interchangeability.
Unfortunately, he won't get much time as a striker, but if we play a 433, with Martial as a wide forward, he will be able to find himself in goal-scoring positions more often.
It’s promising signs but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Yeah, I agree though I thought the roaming setup with Martial, Lingard and Pogba all drifting to the left at times and attacking from the middle at others worked quite well in the second half. Would like us to field a reasonably strong team against Derby and experiment more with it.
Over the last few weeks we've seen Lingard become undroppable and Martial is getting there too - started a run of games except for when he got injured and was still recovering the game after. He just needs to push on from here now and I think Shaw as an outlet (despite his poor output in the final third) could benefit whoever is playing on the left. Some good phases of play though Shaw will have his ups and downs.
Yeah, I am still not totally convinced by Shaw. Although he looks fit and is getting through a lot of work so that’s a good sign.
Any gif of him running off to celebrate with the United fans and kissing the United badge after his goal? 
Any gif of him running off to celebrate with the United fans and kissing the United badge after his goal?
and with no text:
Havent seen him as excited after scoring a goal in a long time. Maybe he has wanted to play the CF role and finally when he got it, he showed what he can do.
He did well in my opinion. Much more movement that Lukaku ever makes and his understanding with Pogba and Lingard is also better than Lukaku's. Hope Mou plays him there till Lukaku is back so that we can really see if he can play the role.
He did well in my opinion. Much more movement that Lukaku ever makes and his understanding with Pogba and Lingard is also better than Lukaku's. Hope Mou plays him there till Lukaku is back so that we can really see if he can play the role.
Well apparently lukaku will be available to play in the next match vs derby
Obviously my opinion is just as valid/speculative as yours but given that we just came off 2 shit draws and Martial himself hasn't scored for a while, it was probably just relief, even more so with how the game looked then.
He's getting better each week again. He could be the perfect wide forward/supporting striker for us. I think he will only ever nail down a striker position as one of a front two or three as being the solitary 9 doesn't suit him, he should be running towards players from a little deeper. The spilled Pickford cross is the perfect example, he is excellent at getting into the left hand side of the box but we will still need a player waiting in the middle.
For me at best he is Henry The Second, both prefer dribbling past opponents and using the sidefoot to curve the ball into far corner. That typical style of play belongs to a wide forward.
Because of that, they both have enough flexibility to play different attacking roles. Henry was a beast even in two mans up front system (Arsenal) or as left winger (Barcelona). Martial is just simply like his fellow countryman, now what he needs is gaining some muscle weight for better balance to hold the ball well
Because of that, they both have enough flexibility to play different attacking roles. Henry was a beast even in two mans up front system (Arsenal) or as left winger (Barcelona). Martial is just simply like his fellow countryman, now what he needs is gaining some muscle weight for better balance to hold the ball well
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Great goal, superb finish.. Some surprising comments in here praising his general link up play as his movement off the ball is still alarmingly dire when up front. Just that the lack of responsibility for the number 9 to play an all-round role and the three man midfield allowing Herrea and Pogba to push up meant that his off the ball movement was negated by the lack of space and role he had to cover.
He's still got a long way to go if he is going to unseat Lukaku when he is back. LWF/LF or an out and 9 is the key, he's not a jose-type winger.
He's still got a long way to go if he is going to unseat Lukaku when he is back. LWF/LF or an out and 9 is the key, he's not a jose-type winger.
Part rusty and part raw on his movement as a #9 when far from the ball, but the talent is obviously there.
Give him a chance to cut on churned up defense and you see what makes him so lethal. He’s not a #9 at all unless there is a lot of movement. Dangerous player that’s grown though.
I’ve been impressed this season with how much more physical he is. He looks for it at times, and seems to enjoy scrapping with people. It makes him much more dangerous on the press and versatile.
Give him a chance to cut on churned up defense and you see what makes him so lethal. He’s not a #9 at all unless there is a lot of movement. Dangerous player that’s grown though.
I’ve been impressed this season with how much more physical he is. He looks for it at times, and seems to enjoy scrapping with people. It makes him much more dangerous on the press and versatile.
One thing I've noticed about martial is he doesn't take unnecessary shots or too many shots on a whole. He should have one of the best goal to shot ratio this season considering the number he has scored (and those glaring misses he had )
I'm conflicted whether it's a strength or weakness if his but is definitely a fixture of his game
)I'm conflicted whether it's a strength or weakness if his but is definitely a fixture of his game
The goal meant so much to him and it was a great one.
Lets just play the kids which is obvious love being on the ground and we will benefit from their desire to win.
Lets just play the kids which is obvious love being on the ground and we will benefit from their desire to win.
One thing I've noticed about martial is he doesn't take unnecessary shots or too many shots on a whole. He should have one of the best goal to shot ratio this season considering the number he has scored (and those glaring misses he had
I'm conflicted whether it's a strength or weakness if his but is definitely a fixture of his game
Ronaldo before his goal scoring machine form was a perfectionist in shooting too, always aiming for the top corner. Prior to that one of the coaches (can't remember his name) told Ronaldo to stop being nit picky and just try to hit the target. Definitely a weakness for me, he should be more ruthless.
But his performance last night is levels above Rashford at the moment, definitely our second best central forward.
Lovely goal, excellent decision starting him ahead of Rashford.
He's my current Nani... the player in our side who clearly has bags and bags and bags of talent, and could be an absolute world beater (and often shows that he can be) and so whenever he's poor I get so incredibly frustrated with him - possibly unfairly so.
Anyway, great goal, he should do that every game
Anyway, great goal, he should do that every game
Interesting, it really might be a weakness then but for now I just want him to go on a run and really impose himself on the team starting with Derby on friday as he has the talent to do so
He's my current Nani... the player in our side who clearly has bags and bags and bags of talent, and could be an absolute world beater (and often shows that he can be) and so whenever he's poor I get so incredibly frustrated with him - possibly unfairly so.
Anyway, great goal, he should do that every game
Yeah, same. I was building up a head of Nani-style frustration with him when I kept noticing that he was nowhere near their box every time we looked like creating something then second later, boom, all was forgiven.
Personally I think he's a level or two above Nani. If we consider all the factors right from his age to the team around him. Can you imagine Martial under Fergie?
My favourite player, who needs people believing in him more. His one weakness is he lacks movement off the ball. He either stays still or runs towards the ball. I wish he was coached to move off the ball. I have not been a big fan of Lingard and he is making me eat my words but I have always loved Lingards movement. Martial needs to do same.
It's a weakness to an extent. I don't consider Martial a very accurate shooter from outside the box. His speciality and main comfort zone is that low shot in the bottom right corner, no matter what. The few times he decides to shoot it from the edge or outside of the box, it often times doesn't even hit the target. He needs to work on his shooting quite a bit before I'd say he's wasting opportunities by not shooting more on sight. I think he knows his limitations with that right now and keeping wild shots in check. He's also not quite on the comfort level to try all kinds of shots because I'm sure there's a certain fear still that if he messes up too much, he could be back on the bench.
Well, that's about it for the 'Martial striker experiment' I guess, at least for the time being (maybe with the odd FA Cup exception).
The manager was railroaded into putting him up front and Lukaka will be back in his usual position quite soon.
But I think Martial has had an above average season (along with Rashford, who'll come again in the new year) - and their levels of goals and assists have been more than reasonable in a stilted, mildly schizophrenic, season.
The manager was railroaded into putting him up front and Lukaka will be back in his usual position quite soon.
But I think Martial has had an above average season (along with Rashford, who'll come again in the new year) - and their levels of goals and assists have been more than reasonable in a stilted, mildly schizophrenic, season.
He does.One thing I've noticed about martial is he doesn't take unnecessary shots or too many shots on a whole. He should have one of the best goal to shot ratio this season considering the number he has scored (and those glaring misses he had
I'm conflicted whether it's a strength or weakness if his but is definitely a fixture of his game
Lovely goal last night and good performance.
Thought it was an above average performance made a good one by the goal.
Anyone else clock that the finish he used was the same technique he tried against Leicester but got horribly wrong? Could be adding top corner finishing to avoid becoming predictable. Fun to watch these young players evolve and elevate their game. Expect Rashford to score a similar one soon. He picks up on these things quickly.
Anyone else clock that the finish he used was the same technique he tried against Leicester but got horribly wrong? Could be adding top corner finishing to avoid becoming predictable. Fun to watch these young players evolve and elevate their game. Expect Rashford to score a similar one soon. He picks up on these things quickly.
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