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2019-20 Performances


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6.2 Season Average Rating
Appearances
48
Goals
23
Assists
8
Yellow cards
1
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The agenda is pretty clear mate. His weak off the ball movement is being hugely exaggerated. He’s scored many goals running off the ball in behind; Southampton, Wolfsburg, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Tottenham etc. Also, good ‘movement’ is more than just running off the last defender. Martial is excellent at finding space in the box, and also finds himself unmarked at the back post to tap in regularly. He also holds the line well. You don’t need to take my word for it. Just go and watch all of his goals and it’s easy enough to see. I’ll accept that he’s not as energetic or industrious as someone like Rashford, but as I said it’s being hugely exaggerated.

I rarely see you saying anything particularly positive about him, and I’m pretty sure other posters have mentioned similar regarding your posts in respect of Martial. Which is bizarre given he is one of our most productive players when he features, if not THE most productive for decent periods of time.

No one takes posts like this serious anymore. Posting examples of him running in behind does not make his movement good.
 
The agenda is pretty clear mate. His weak off the ball movement is being hugely exaggerated. He’s scored many goals running off the ball in behind; Southampton, Wolfsburg, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Tottenham etc. Also, good ‘movement’ is more than just running off the last defender. Martial is excellent at finding space in the box, and also finds himself unmarked at the back post to tap in regularly. He also holds the line well. You don’t need to take my word for it. Just go and watch all of his goals and it’s easy enough to see. I’ll accept that he’s not as energetic or industrious as someone like Rashford, but as I said it’s being hugely exaggerated.

I rarely see you saying anything particularly positive about him, and I’m pretty sure other posters have mentioned similar regarding your posts in respect of Martial. Which is bizarre given he is one of our most productive players when he features, if not THE most productive for decent periods of time.
He said he was a good left winger in the very post you quoted.
 
No one takes posts like this serious anymore. Posting examples of him running in behind does not make his movement good.
Right. So when there are various posters saying his movement is ‘non-existant’, posting examples to the contrary doesn’t prove that to be an exaggeration? I know you probably won’t take it seriously because you’re not too keen on Martial either.
 
Right. So when there are various posters saying his movement is ‘non-existant’, posting examples to the contrary doesn’t prove that to be an exaggeration? I know you probably won’t take it seriously because you’re not too keen on Martial either.

I can point to every forward of Martial's build making a run in behind. His movement is shit and everyone knows it.
 
What level of praise do you think would be appropriate and when was the last time he earned said praise?
It was a general point about that particular posters comments on Martial mate. Its something that I’d noticed and if you don’t agree then that’s fine.

He certainly didn’t perform too well towards the end of the season (along with the majority of the squad) but had good periods both under Jose and Ole earlier in the season, scoring several crucial goals.
 
Looked overweight to me in that friendly.
 
The last people that can be blamed for Martial's performances are the fans. We have backed him since his debut and even made a song in his appreciation, which can be heard almost every game, even when he wasn't playing.

Tony needs to find it in himself to be more motivated and strive for improvement. He has not one, but several levels more into his locker, just needs to apply himself better in training and on the pitch. If he has stamina issues, should be working on that non-stop, it can't be acceptable.
 
The only person at the club who had an idea for Martial's development was LVG. Immediately he was sacked, Martial stalled although he still put in good performances (very similar to Rashford).


Whether or not Martial does well this season will probably depend on how much Solksjaer rates him, although tbh I don't really see Solksjaer playing LVG type possession football. He seems to rate the skillset of the likes of Daniel James and Rashford over Martial's, which maybe indicates he likes aggression and pace a bit more than finesse? If so, it could be a problem for Martial, as we'd be left with trying to shoehorn yet another player into an unfamiliar/ unsuitable style. I guess it all depends on how adaptable he is to Solksjaer's style.


The one thing which annoys me is people constantly focusing on his negatives and trying to put him down all the time. As a youngster, he came to an unstable United and helped us out a lot with very good goal contributions, despite his development being halted by managerial instability. I don't know why people are so desperate to focus on his negative aspects.
 
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Well I doubt he’ll be getting many minutes under Ole this season if that’s the case.
Hopefully James will provide some competition and gets Martial sweating, if he thinks his place is in jeopardy he might actually put a bit of effort in. I won't lie, I haven't been impressed with Martial under Solskjaer so far.
 
The only person at the club who had an idea for Martial's development was LVG. Immediately he was sacked, Martial stalled although he still put in good performances (very similar to Rashford).


Whether or not Martial does well this season will probably depend on how much Solksjaer rates him, although tbh I don't really see Solksjaer playing LVG type possession football. He seems to rate the skillset of the likes of Daniel James and Rashford over Martial's, which maybe indicates he likes aggression and pace a bit more than finesse? If so, it could be a problem for Martial, as we'd be left with trying to shoehorn yet another player into an unfamiliar/ unsuitable style. I guess it all depends on how adaptable he is to Solksjaer's style.


The one thing which annoys me is people constantly focusing on his negatives and trying to put him down all the time. As a youngster, he came to an unstable United and helped us out a lot with very good goal contributions; I don't know why people are so desperate to focus on his negative aspects.

No movement. Ne desire. He will not make it here. Sell.
 
The only person at the club who had an idea for Martial's development was LVG. Immediately he was sacked, Martial stalled although he still put in good performances (very similar to Rashford).


Whether or not Martial does well this season will probably depend on how much Solksjaer rates him, although tbh I don't really see Solksjaer playing LVG type possession football. He seems to rate the skillset of the likes of Daniel James and Rashford over Martial's, which maybe indicates he likes aggression and pace a bit more than finesse? If so, it could be a problem for Martial, as we'd be left with trying to shoehorn yet another player into an unfamiliar/ unsuitable style. I guess it all depends on how adaptable he is to Solksjaer's style.


The one thing which annoys me is people constantly focusing on his negatives and trying to put him down all the time. As a youngster, he came to an unstable United and helped us out a lot with very good goal contributions, despite his development being halted by managerial instability; I don't know why people are so desperate to focus on his negative aspects.
Because his positives aren't enough to limit his negatives......
 
The only person at the club who had an idea for Martial's development was LVG. Immediately he was sacked, Martial stalled although he still put in good performances (very similar to Rashford).


Whether or not Martial does well this season will probably depend on how much Solksjaer rates him, although tbh I don't really see Solksjaer playing LVG type possession football. He seems to rate the skillset of the likes of Daniel James and Rashford over Martial's, which maybe indicates he likes aggression and pace a bit more than finesse? If so, it could be a problem for Martial, as we'd be left with trying to shoehorn yet another player into an unfamiliar/ unsuitable style. I guess it all depends on how adaptable he is to Solksjaer's style.


The one thing which annoys me is people constantly focusing on his negatives and trying to put him down all the time. As a youngster, he came to an unstable United and helped us out a lot with very good goal contributions, despite his development being halted by managerial instability; I don't know why people are so desperate to focus on his negative aspects.
The people focus on his negatives because he doesn't run in a certain type of way- much like Berbatov was although to a lesser extent because he was in much better team. It definitely does appears OGS has basic old school British mentality when it comes to style of play(one I don't believe is the right approach for us if we want to play a technical football but it could still be effective in its own way)
. It will probably not be beneficial for cultured footballer like Martial and poor fit like you said however I'm still interested to see if he plays at number 9 and what our attacking shape is going to be (2 in front diamond/3) and which combinations we're going to use.
 
The people focus on his negatives because he doesn't run in a certain type of way- much like Berbatov was although to a lesser extent because he was in much better team. It definitely does appears OGS has basic old school British mentality when it comes to style of play(one I don't believe is the right approach for us if we want to play a technical football but it could still be effective in its own way)
. It will probably not be beneficial for cultured footballer like Martial and poor fit like you said however I'm still interested to see if he plays at number 9 and what our attacking shape is going to be (2 in front diamond/3) and which combinations we're going to use.

What type of football gets the best out of Martial though?
 
What type of football gets the best out of Martial though?
A more European type of football less depending on high energy and intensity. I
think he would excel in a Bayern Munich/Ajax etc pass and move teams.
 
A more European type of football less depending on high energy and intensity. I think he would excel in a Bayern Munich/Ajax etc pass and move teams.

Maybe at Bayern within the domestic competitions. Think it would work for him at Ajax, but he is probably above that level of team.
 
A more European type of football less depending on high energy and intensity. I
think he would excel in a Bayern Munich/Ajax etc pass and move teams.
European teams also play with high intensity. The difference is that they press as a unit and with more intelligence. In our squad there is too much of a difference in player quality. Not everybody is on the same page with how we want to play at united. Imagine Ashley young/ chris smalling trying to play in a possession orientated team? It will crumble because they aren't on the same page as everyone else. Our problem is that we have too many players that cant get the basic right which affects other players. This is the case for martial to a degree.

Longball has never been his style. He is more suited to 1-2s and short passes. However his problem over the years is his stubbornness adapting to tactical instructions. If Ole wants to play longball he needs to stop coming short and run in behind. He is very misunderstood and yet is still one of our most productive players. Woodward knows this and gave him a new contract.

Right now we are in the process of replacing players that don't align with how we want to play for whatever reason(lack of technique and composure mostly). When we get maguire we should be able to play out the back more effectively which will see a difference in performance for players like pogba and Martial. When we eliminate the need for long ball Martials game will improve by some distance.
 
The people focus on his negatives because he doesn't run in a certain type of way- much like Berbatov was although to a lesser extent because he was in much better team. It definitely does appears OGS has basic old school British mentality when it comes to style of play(one I don't believe is the right approach for us if we want to play a technical football but it could still be effective in its own way)
. It will probably not be beneficial for cultured footballer like Martial and poor fit like you said however I'm still interested to see if he plays at number 9 and what our attacking shape is going to be (2 in front diamond/3) and which combinations we're going to use.
A more European type of football less depending on high energy and intensity. I
think he would excel in a Bayern Munich/Ajax etc pass and move teams.

Weren't you and others were adamant that under Klopp he would have scored more goals?

Also not sure why OGS has old school mentality, every top coach wants their team to play with higher work rate, intensity and higher tempo. Ajax play with intensity, just watch their games against Madrid, Juventus and Spurs. Just watching them makes anyone exhausted, if Martial doesn't fit high intensity football then there is no way he is making their bench.

Pass and move teams play with intensity, they don't play like we did under Van Gaal. That was the crappiest version of pass and move football.

If anything, the way Ole set up was very good for Martial, at least the initial games. He was all over the pitch, interchanging positions with Rashford and others.
 
There can really be no excuse for Tony this season. The club gave him a new contract that world class players get so he needs to prove his worth. Seems to be taking it seriously so far and isn't in sulk mode again so I'm positive about Martial.
 
Maybe at Bayern within the domestic competitions. Think it would work for him at Ajax, but he is probably above that level of team.

This is imo one of the main reasons we are where we are. Overating our own players. Martial too good for the CL Semi finalists? I mean come on. Martial, just like several other players in this United squad wouldn't look out of place at Watford or West Ham. They have Pereyra and Anderson playing LW there.
 
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Maybe at Bayern within the domestic competitions. Think it would work for him at Ajax, but he is probably above that level of team.

I would love to see Martial at Bayern. He can join The French Connection Hernandez, Pavard, Tolisso and Coman.

--------Lewy-----------------Martial-------
------------------Havertz-------------------
------Thiago------------------Tolisso-------
------------------Pavard--------------------
Alaba--Hernandez-----Süle------Kimmich
------------------Neuer---------------------
 
One of the great sleepwalkers in the modern game. Needs constant bollockings to keep him alert. For the money he's on I expect a hat trick per match.
 
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Difficult to not compare him to Marcus, and to be quite honest only one of them looks like they could explode into a top player.
 
He's not good enough to be a striker. He's too static, unimaginative off the ball, and casual.
 
Surely his make or break season. He has talent but I think he has a laid back attitude. On his day he will tear opponents but on most days he looks lost.
 
Looked well off the pace, Rashford looked by far the more dangerous of the two.
Surely his make or break season. He has talent but I think he has a laid back attitude. On his day he will tear opponents but on most days he looks lost.
I doubt it, we've just given him a huge contract so I'm gonna guess the club's got a lot of time for him.
 
Looked well off the pace, Rashford looked by far the more dangerous of the two.

I doubt it, we've just given him a huge contract so I'm gonna guess the club's got a lot of time for him.
If we do well this season and he still ends up blowing hot and cold I can see Ole having enough of him and just selling him.
 
He was probably the third best player after Pereira and Jones in that second half. As usual very composed with the ball, showed moments where he looked light on his feet following the groin surgery and took his penalty well.

Comparing him with Rashford is so illogical when you consider the two teams put out. Rashford had Pogba and Mata behind him with runners like AWB, Greenwood and James on the flanks while Martial played upfront in a formation with little to no width ahead of Lingard who produced one of the worst pre season performances I've ever seen. Some simple critical thinking does wonders.
 
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