Why stop at 24? Why not 21, or 26..? That's no argument. Is he good enough to be Manchester United's first-choice No 9, and fire us back to glory. That's my question, and I am not convinced, despite a good week for him, that he is. Just compare Martial to the top Prem strikers.
I have always said that Martial has talent. But he does not inspire the team. He does not lead. Rashford is younger, and is more of a leader. Macguire seems to have some, some of that in him. Even McTominay in his own little way, has shown some emergence as an inspiration, and he has vastly improved. Al of our great forwards are inspirational. All of them, and he isn't I am afraid. And it frustrates me because he has the raw talent.
A No 9 at a big club, needs to be a leader, and inspire his team. A match winner. Martial is not that player, sorry. And he doesn't score enough. I don't care about second (or even third rate..) Europa League games. Vardy, Aguero, Kane... even the likes of Ings this season, and Aubamayang (look at today..).. these players really, clearly, define their team's attacking intent. They lead their team... consistently. Liverpool do not have out-and-out No 9, but Salah and Mane and consistently inspirational. Firminho supports them and it works.
I am pleased for Martial that he has scored a few this week. But I still could not bank on him as the Manchester United No 9. Comparing him to Griezemann is daft. Stop judging on one week. Griezemann has nothing to prove, he is world-class.
Because he is 24. You said ''He isn't in the same class as the top strikers in Europe''. Do you think it's fair to compare him to strikers who are older than him and in their prime? Wouldn't it be fairer to compare him to strikers around his age? That's why i asked who do you class as the top strikers in Europe
24 or under?
I would answer your question as, it depends on how much more room you believe he has to grow. If you believe he has reached his ceiling,
(which would be weird seeing as he's only 24), then i can see why you would be skeptical. Even then, you could look at his productivity with some truly dismal support supplying him so far this season & still be optimistic for the future... Look at his goal today & think of how many strikers are capable of scoring a goal like that? That's classic Martial.
This season, i believe he has only given a glimpse of what he has to offer so far. Imo there's much more to come with a quality supporting act behind him. Look at the difference Bruno has made in a few weeks already. It makes me very excited for next season. Take out pens & Martial has an identical goals contribution record to Rashford (13 overall) in the PL, in almost 2 fewer matches worth of mins, (Rashford has played 164 more mins). I don't want to bring up the tired debate of Rashford vs Martial, but it should give you some food for thought.
That's your opinion of course, but I highly disagree when you say Martial does not inspire or lead. Did you miss his first season under LVG? At 19 in a different country, i remember him inspiring us almost every week back then. It seems you're describing him as a pushover, when there's never been any evidence of it. If he was, wouldn't he have asked to leave when Mourinho was actively trying to force him out? Yet Mourinho is gone & he's still here, as the main No.9. That takes character don't you think?
Again, you're judging him as if this is all he as to offer & he cannot grow any further. Vardy at 24 was in non league... Vardy is now 33, Aguero 31, Auba 30, Kane 26, Ings 27, Firmino 28, Salah 27, Mane 27... Martial is 24, getting proper minutes for the 1st season in 3 years, and he's actually outperforming the majority of them so far... maybe give him a chance?