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2017-18 Performances


View full 2017-18 profile

6.1 Season Average Rating
Appearances
45
Goals
11
Assists
11
Yellow cards
1
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The thing is the moment he hit a bit of a rough patch they all gonna jump on him like a pack of fly over turd as if he's done absolutely nothing this season.

They'll continue to keep quiet until he show even the slightest of struggles than they'll be all over anylizing his performances and why Mou is supposedly looking to replace him.

Heck even after he performed against Stoke and was already hitting his form, the post analysis by pundits(Jamie and Gary) on sky were about how Mourinho had lost patience with him hence the purchase of Sanchez. You couldn't make it up. It has become plain pathetic. I genuinely loathe the English media, bench of bias and jaleous irredeemable posers.
The level of general analysis is incredibly low. There are a few pundits who still have some sense (Andy Gray is still the best one out there) but it's like 1 out of 30.
Never giving credit to anything United related and even less so since Mourinho is the manager
 
Martial shouldn't be benched as he's the future of the club, he will have frustrating times/games but the talent is there and having just turned 22, he needs consistent football to hopefully be the beast he can be in the next couple of years

Sanchez can be effective both through the middle or on the right, personally, I think we should have Sanchez on the right seeing as that has been the weakest side of our attack for a while now. Get a CM in to partner Matic and push Pogba up the pitch and we start looking like a team that can do big things even in Europe
 
the media are just angry he is keeping their beloved English boy on the bench

Seems as likely an explanation as any for the lack of hype.
 
The level of general analysis is incredibly low. There are a few pundits who still have some sense (Andy Gray is still the best one out there) but it's like 1 out of 30.
Never giving credit to anything United related and even less so since Mourinho is the manager

And even less so to a French youngster who is currently causing an English youngster to sit on the bench. Martial has had a very good and productive season so far and has been amongst our team's best players, it's as simple as that.
 
This sorts of justifies why there was such an outcry early in the season when he was coming off the bench consistently. I understand he's hot and cold, like a lot of younger players, but the potential and efficiency is undeniable when he's in the right positions. He might miss 3 out of 4 times, but that fourth time will usually result in a goal/assist/penalty/dangerous free kick. It's good that both Mourinho and Martial figured out what they needed from one another, and he's now established himself. We will see how the arrival of Alexis Sanchez changes that, if at all, but all the people who were against Martial being the starter should now understand a little better why there was such support among United fans for Martial to start over Rashford or Mikhi/Mata.

One thing I have very little doubt about is that Arsenal wanted to get Martial over Mikhi, and the fact that the club refused even for the chance to get Alexis should bode well for them to be starting together as opposed to Alexis taking his place as some might fear, but I guess we'll find out soon enough.
 
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But he has added the spectacular to his repertoire of late. Only Philippe Coutinho and Kevin De Bruyne have scored more goals from outside the box, but Martial has succeeded with one in five of his attempts. Coutinho scored one in 10, De Bruyne one in 13.

Thought this part was important given that some refuse to acknowledge this improvement in his game.
 
This sorts of justifies why there was such an outcry early in the season when he was coming off the bench consistently. I understand he's hot and cold, like a lot of younger players, but the potential and efficiency is undeniable when he's in the right positions. He might miss 3 out of 4 times, but that fourth time will usually result in a goal/assist/penalty/dangerous free kick. It's good that both Mourinho and Martial figured out what they needed from one another, and he's now established himself. We will see how the arrival of Alexis Sanchez changes that, if at all, but all the people who were against Martial being the starter should now understand a little better why there was such support among United fans for Martial to start over Rashford or Mikhi/Mata.

That part in bold is incorrect. He is actually very efficient in front of goal.
 
Actually, I don't know if it's a trend, but he seems to not be able to score more than 1 in a game. He usually takes his first chance with aplomb, but then for other chances that drive seems to go away. Maybe I'm wrong, but what's up with that?
Yeah I'd also like him to try to find that second goal or more. And this is where I actually agree with Neville on Martial, he needs to give that extra 5 or 10 percents in games. He also needs to stop being content with a goal in a game which is what explain his lack of desire to burry more.

I'd rather he doesn't follow Hazard in this regard who seldom admitted that he isn't interested in scoring a lot or such. This shows a lack of hunger from him somehow. I'd like to see Martial hungry for goals all the time and not just be satisfied with a goal.

What ironic is that after he scores in games, his performances usually soar up but he just doesn't seem interested in scoring again. His energy and involvement in the game increase, try to create chances for others but his scoring hunger somehow drop.
 
Actually, I don't know if it's a trend, but he seems to not be able to score more than 1 in a game. He usually takes his first chance with aplomb, but then for other chances that drive seems to go away. Maybe I'm wrong, but what's up with that?
This is kind of true, not only with Martial but with almost the entire team. We get too comfortable sometimes, and it shows in our play and the player's attitudes too.

To become amongst the best, Anthony need to show the hunger and drive everytime and not in spurts. After scoring a good one, he generally resorts to bringing others into the play, and while that's good, he needa to be ruthless and selfish sometimes. He certainly has the ability to do it, and I will admit that with Mourinho here, his drive has increased than before. That is also why I think Sanchez will be so vital for us, for Martial and the rest. He is an excellent example of marrying intensive attitude with natural talent.
 
Tbh, I think many of our fans (although much less than the media) have similarly volatile views on him. Some of the stuff I read earlier in the season was evidence. Apparently Martial is best suited as a substitute. Posters were giving detailed testimony as to why his game was more suited to cameos, and conversely, Rashford was suited to starting games simply due to style as much as ability. Even when he was coming from the bench and performing, it was treated as further evidence by some that he should continue coming from the bench!

I agree with Nev and Carragher in that there is a missing 5% that will take him way above any debate, and firmly place him in the consensus of the best forwards in the league. If Sanchez does little else other than to rub off some of his style and approach to the game on Martial, his signing would have been of great value to us.
 
Tbh, I think many of our fans (although much less than the media) have similarly volatile views on him. Some of the stuff I read earlier in the season was evidence. Apparently Martial is best suited as a substitute. Posters were giving detailed testimony as to why his game was more suited to cameos, and conversely, Rashford was suited to starting games simply due to style as much as ability. Even when he was coming from the bench and performing, it was treated as further evidence by some that he should continue coming from the bench!

I agree with Nev and Carragher in that there is a missing 5% that will take him way above any debate, and firmly place him in the consensus of the best forwards in the league. If Sanchez does little else other than to rub off some of his style and approach to the game on Martial, his signing would have been of great value to us.

From a personal perspective, I didn't feel that Martial was better off on the bench... but I remember greatly disagreeing with some posters that Mourinho was mismanaging our squad by not starting him in every game (many of which we were winning 4-0 at the time). I actually feel that when you look at Martial & Shaw now, and look at players like Rojo before his injury... we can see just what a good man manager Jose still is. I'm not someone who thinks Jose is without fault, but if you look back at the early season discussions, I think you'll find that few were arguing that Rashford should always start over Martial, it was often more "Martial vs Mourinho" than that. Many of us felt that Rashford should be on the right... myself included... shows what I know.
 
Martial is 1st choice because he has improved as the season has gone on, and Rashford has gotten worse. Rashford was justifying his place in the team at the start of the season when Martial was coming on as a sub role.

In fact, there is a strong argument that the early competition with Rashford pushed Martial to up his game. When you rotate players like that, there is often one player that outshines the other, competition like that is healthy.
 
The reason why he seems incapable of scoring more than 1 a a game is that for a forward, he doesn't take many shots.
 
He's not a selfish player, that much is clear to see. He can lose the ball at times by overcomplicating thing but it's not out of a desire to be the hero.

Whether he should be more greedy is a tough question. I think for the time being it's fine that he tries to create more given that we have both Sanchez and Lukaku in the team, one is a player who likes to shoot and the other a CF, but over the longer term he can and should be our main source of goal in 3,4 ,5 years time and it doesn't hurt if he takes more shots once our attack get going.
 
Martial is 1st choice because he has improved as the season has gone on, and Rashford has gotten worse. Rashford was justifying his place in the team at the start of the season when Martial was coming on as a sub role.

In fact, there is a strong argument that the early competition with Rashford pushed Martial to up his game. When you rotate players like that, there is often one player that outshines the other, competition like that is healthy.
Lol... Improved?
He was our player of the month in August and September. If anything he has regressed a bit or his performances is roughly at the same level when compared to the blazing start he had at the start of the season. You’re only saying this now because you were probably one of those saying Martial should remain on the bench because Rashford was good at being okay.

You might be right that Rashford was justifying his place at the start of the season by being decent but Martial was simply having better performances even in the limited time and regardless he should never have been behind Rashford.

Competition goes both ways. I can’t understand how you can be comfortable claiming the competition made Martial better if Rashford is getting worse as a result of it.
If anything it proves Rashford cannot compete with Martial at all because they are not on the same level. This only reinforces what some already know, while some others find it difficult to accept. This only makes the selection at beginning of the season appear even more bizarre.
 
He's not a selfish player, that much is clear to see. He can lose the ball at times by overcomplicating thing but it's not out of a desire to be the hero.

Whether he should be more greedy is a tough question. I think for the time being it's fine that he tries to create more given that we have both Sanchez and Lukaku in the team, one is a player who likes to shoot and the other a CF, but over the longer term he can and should be our main source of goal in 3,4 ,5 years time and it doesn't hurt if he takes more shots once our attack get going.
That is absolutely right. I notice that he's always looking out for Lukaku as well to try and help him on the score sheet. It's quite admirable. Remember in last round of the FA Cup (I believe), he could have scored but passed the ball to Lukaku. The sheer joy on Martial's face that Lukaku scored was quite sweet to see. Yes he could be more 'selfish' but as long as there is some balance. Don't want him hogging the ball when it would be better to pass to his team mates.

Let's hope he keeps improving.
 
Yeah I'd also like him to try to find that second goal or more. And this is where I actually agree with Neville on Martial, he needs to give that extra 5 or 10 percents in games. He also needs to stop being content with a goal in a game which is what explain his lack of desire to burry more.

I'd rather he doesn't follow Hazard in this regard who seldom admitted that he isn't interested in scoring a lot or such. This shows a lack of hunger from him somehow. I'd like to see Martial hungry for goals all the time and not just be satisfied with a goal.

What ironic is that after he scores in games, his performances usually soar up but he just doesn't seem interested in scoring again. His energy and involvement in the game increase, try to create chances for others but his scoring hunger somehow drop.
It's way too easy for him. Could coast for 89 of the 90mins and decide he wants to register an assist/goal at will. Criminally underusing his own talent and could cost him if he doesn't fix it. Also needs to be taken out of Lukaku's shadow in our attacking setup. In a perfect world the Sanchez signing would move us to a more equal opportunity front 3 system
 
That part in bold is incorrect. He is actually very efficient in front of goal.

Maybe I didn't express myself correctly, I didn't mean 3 out of 4 chances to score a goal, I mean when he's running down the left wing and cuts inside to create danger in the last third.
 
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The reason why he seems incapable of scoring more than 1 a a game is that for a forward, he doesn't take many shots.

Interestingly, looking at the shot stats his are roughly the same as Son, Sterling, Hazard, Lukaku and Lacazette - two of whom are centre forwards. For a wide player I think his shot stats are fine though it would be even better if he did shoot more. I think while some other forwards are more shoot on sight, he thinks about whether there is a better option and passes which is why his conversion rate is so high.
 
Interestingly, looking at the shot stats his are roughly the same as Son, Sterling, Hazard, Lukaku and Lacazette - two of whom are centre forwards. For a wide player I think his shot stats are fine though it would be even better if he did shoot more. I think while some other forwards are more shoot on sight, he thinks about whether there is a better option and passes which is why his conversion rate is so high.

He does shoot more than he could pass to Lukaku. That's the problem.
 
Ya know, 11 goals and 10 assists is a fecking great return at season end, let alone right now in January. 32 games and 21 goals+assists. Excellent stuff.

Just noticed it now at the top of the page and it illustrates just what form he's in now.
 
Does anyone remember Robben at age 22? I am starting to think Martial may develop into a similar type of player.
 
Does anyone remember Robben at age 22? I am starting to think Martial may develop into a similar type of player.

I think he's not as fast as Robben (even at 33 the bloke was rapid), but is physically stronger and therefore can develop his game beyond that trade mark cutting in and shoot.

That said, Robben also had a mean free kick on him in his prime. Martial has shown good crossing ability but his dead ball ability is a bit meh.
 
Robben was exceptionally fast and loved to dive. Very different type of player to Martial. I don't see any great similarities.

Rashford is more bale while martial is more Ribery I feel

I just wwnna see how his partnership blossoms with Sanchez for the now
 
Robben is more dynamic and explosive. Martial isn't really a winger.
 
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