[Bebestation]

I'm not trying to talk him up here - but is it just me that finds his back to goal ability really good? Like it's better than alot of strikers, however ultimately he fails at some of the other stuff, like his finishing/heading ability and work rate.

I do think he will do well at a Newcastle because I feel the reason he did well in ole's first season was because of the counterattack style we were playing as a team.

Once clubs realised they had to start playing more defensive against us due to Bruno's ability- things became harder for Martial for all the seasons afterwards.

 

[gajender]

You're this confident in writing off a 17 year old you've probably seen play 3 times who has recently made it into the Swedish first team?

The other poster may be too hasty to write off Elanga but he isn't 17 year old he is 19 .

 

[AneRu]

I'm not trying to talk him up here - but is it just me that finds his back to goal ability really good? Like it's better than alot of strikers, however ultimately he fails at some of the other stuff, like his finishing/heading ability and work rate.

I do think he will do well at a Newcastle because I feel the reason he did well in ole's first season was because of the counterattack style we were playing as a team.

Once clubs realised they had to start playing more defensive against us due to Bruno's ability- things became harder for Martial for all the seasons afterwards.

I think we have tried to turn him into a hold up striker when he was evolving into a playmaking forward. Post lockdown, in a three with Rashford and Greenwood, he was the one dropping deep and playing creative link up play with the two wide forwards and Bruno was sometimes running past him. He was more at home in ark on top of the box than as the furthest forward so I think the demands on him to be a traditional striker have confused his natural game.

When you look at it, Rashford is normally at his best with Martial in form because they had a nice tandem where the former would drift into a scoring position whilst Martial looked happy to play the creator. The result was that Rashford became more prolific whilst Martial also benefitted from Rashford taking the attention of all the defenders.

He isn't blameless, he only plays well when things go well and isn't willing to put in the hard graft when in a rut. The thing with strikers is that even when your game isn't fluid enough that scrappy goal can do your confidence a world of good so because Martial isn't willing to fight for scraps he denies himself the chance break a period of poor form. United are too rich and have too many options to wait on him so eventually he facea long periods out.

 

[Sky1981]

People still giving him clean slate.

He's been here 6 years. This is how we ended up with jones getting his testimonial.

We need to be more ruthless, and in martial case it's not even ruthless, we've been far too lenient on him and should have been moved on 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[Roane]

People still giving him clean slate.

He's been here 6 years. This is how we ended up with jones getting his testimonial.

We need to be more ruthless, and in martial case it's not even ruthless, we've been far too lenient on him and should have been moved on 2 or 3 years ago.

I'm all for giving players a clean slate simply based on where we have been as a club. I don't know if you listen to Ben Fosters podcast, the cycling goal keeper, but it offers a fascinating insight to players and managers and clubs.

One I listened to recently he was asked if players ever downed tools for managers. His response was that no as most players play for themselves and as such are always showcasing their talents. However he did day that situations at clubs do make players drop levels. He went on to say that it wasn't a huge drop numerically, maybe 4/5% but at an elite level that is massive. The difference between winning and losing or scoring and missing etc.

 

[Jackal981]

I'm all for giving players a clean slate simply based on where we have been as a club. I don't know if you listen to Ben Fosters podcast, the cycling goal keeper, but it offers a fascinating insight to players and managers and clubs.

One I listened to recently he was asked if players ever downed tools for managers. His response was that no as most players play for themselves and as such are always showcasing their talents. However he did day that situations at clubs do make players drop levels. He went on to say that it wasn't a huge drop numerically, maybe 4/5% but at an elite level that is massive. The difference between winning and losing or scoring and missing etc.

Agree. Logically, no players want to "down tools" because it will affect their next wage, their value, perception in media, etc unless it is a special case like the Toxic One.

 

[kouroux]

What's his current status fitness wise ? Is he available ?

 

[Freak]

What's his current status fitness wise ? Is he available ?

He's fit enough to pack his bags and leave.

 

[GoldanoGraham]

He will do well in La Liga and especially if he doesn’t have to track back and defend - as long as he doesn’t go to Atleti then he will be a good player - he is not a good fit for a Simeone type style though.
Bags of talent, just inconsistent - real shame but he is never going to fulfil at Utd.

 

[BalanceUnAutreJoint]

Complacency and laziness, he's never been able to get rid of these two things ever since he was an academy player for Lyon.

If a manager as agressive as Jose Mourinho in his approach didn't manage to make him understand that then I sadly don't see anyone else succeeding.

 

[Giggsyking]

Why should we let him go and pay half his wages? are we back to stupid again? Sell or loan to a club that looks serious in keeping him, otherwise keep him here.

 

[VanDeBank]

Why should we let him go and pay half his wages? are we back to stupid again? Sell or loan to a club that looks serious in keeping him, otherwise keep him here.

We're not going to pay half his wages for him to go on loan. RR's in charge.

This sounds like complete bullshit.
"Have not started negotiating" but Marca knows United's demands?

Also isn't "half his salary" basically his entire salary given that we're talking about half a season?

 

[Greck]

He doesn't want to give up the wages and no doubt wants us to pay him to play else where. Has some nerve. I get it, we have some nasty favoritism at the striker position currently but this isn't how to go about it. Raise your performances, your transfer value and be ready to give up the wages.

 

[lex talionis]

Tony is bordering on asshole territory. We all get extended bad form — see Rashford and Maguire — but total inference in play is unacceptable. As much as I’d like to just rid of him we cannot send him out in loans and pay his astronomical wages. Our players should not rewarded for disgracing the shirt.

 

[UncleBob]

Tony is bordering on asshole territory. We all get extended bad form — see Rashford and Maguire — but total inference in play is unacceptable. As much as I’d like to just rid of him we cannot send him out in loans and pay his astronomical wages. Our players should not rewarded for disgracing the shirt.

What has he done wrong now?

 

[Gandalf]

What has he done wrong now?

I think it is just the general attitude of him wanting a move when he has done nothing for 18 months and yet is insinuating through his agent that he has been wronged added to the fact that he is on massively inflated wages and shows no inclination to take a pay cut to make a move happen.

 

[Sandikan]

Tony is bordering on asshole territory. We all get extended bad form — see Rashford and Maguire — but total inference in play is unacceptable. As much as I’d like to just rid of him we cannot send him out in loans and pay his astronomical wages. Our players should not rewarded for disgracing the shirt.

You need to get just a little bit of balance here.
That is absolute ludicrous hyperbole

 

[UncleBob]

I think it is just the general attitude of him wanting a move when he has done nothing for 18 months and yet is insinuating through his agent that he has been wronged added to the fact that he is on massively inflated wages and shows no inclination to take a pay cut to make a move happen.

Brilliant.

Fact is that no one knows what’s going on, apart from it being clear that he wants to feck off. The transfer window isn’t even fecking open yet, and you’ve somehow convinced yourself that Martial is holding things up because he’s refusing a pay cut. Christ.

 

[Aint gota Kalou]

It's such weird timing. We are playing two upfront and have a new manager. Why hand in a transfer request right away instead of at least giving it until mid Jan?

 

[VanDeBank]

I think it is just the general attitude of him wanting a move when he has done nothing for 18 months and yet is insinuating through his agent that he has been wronged added to the fact that he is on massively inflated wages and shows no inclination to take a pay cut to make a move happen.

Why would he show he's willing to take a pay cut before the window is even open?

FFS it's called negotiating.

I'm not saying it is going to happen, but it's only a conclusion you can draw when all is said and done.

And no I'm not Martial FC and wanted him sold in the summer. I feel like I have to use this disclaimer whenever discussing him.

 

[Gandalf]

Brilliant.

Fact is that no one knows what’s going on, apart from it being clear that he wants to feck off. The transfer window isn’t even fecking open yet, and you’ve somehow convinced yourself that Martial is holding things up because he’s refusing a pay cut. Christ.

Jesus Christ back at ya pal. I was answering a question about why some people might be pissed off at him and speculated on the reasons for that, I am convinced of nothing and stated nothing as fact but don't let that stop your comical overreaction.

 

[Foxbatt]

RR needs to get him to play as the second striker. He is the only one who can hold the ball.He is also deadly in the box in getting penalties. Play DVB and Bruno behind him and either Ronaldo, Cavani, or Greenwood up top along with Martial dropping a deep.

 

[Red Shorts]

Anyone else think it's worth bringing him out of exile and giving him a run?

If he wants to leave 100% then fine let him go. But if it's down to lack of playing time, if I were Ralf I would swallow my pride and give him a run. I don't think any of our wingers merit their starting spot based off the past few months, certainly not giving an outstanding performance that puts them head and shoulders above what Martial can bring.

 

[Lewnited]

I would, purely on the basis that he doesn't have a first touch like a trampoline unlike the rest of our forwards

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

I reckon he's given up. Its strange but he was our best performer when the cards were down in his debut season. I think we needed a win at West Ham in the final league game at their old stadium to qualify for CL. The team bus was attacked prior to the game and he scored a brace at a very hostile away ground to almost single handedly drag us there but the game ended a 2-2 draw. Now a days he barely has the bottle to fight for his place.

 

[UncleBob]

No point, just bin him out on loan and hopefully get a decent fee in the summer

 

[Ali Dia]

He’s a better footballer than Marcus. Rashford physically and with his old workrate made him a slightly better fit but there’s very little between them. Could almost be the same player. I’m just plain confused with it all at the moment.

 

[Red Shorts]

No point, just bin him out on loan and hopefully get a decent fee in the summer

Can he really do much worse than Rashford, Greenwood and Sancho have done the past 2 months?

 

[Member 105568]

I reckon he's given up. Its strange but he was our best performer when the cards were down in his debut season. I think we needed a win at West Ham in the final league game at their old stadium to qualify for CL. The team bus was attacked prior to the game and he scored a brace at a very hostile away ground to almost single handedly drag us there but the game ended a 2-2 draw. Now a days he barely has the bottle to fight for his place.

He was great that season, but in that West Ham game I thought he was genuinely going to be one of the absolute best in the world. I still think he’s about the most talented player you have but he started giving up once you signed Zlatan. I think Ralf could give him a game and he’d do well but then he’d just fade again. It’s time for him to move on, regardless of his talent.

 

[crossy1686]

Can he really do much worse than Rashford, Greenwood and Sancho have done the past 2 months?

Oh yes he can. Starting with 10 men is an improvement on Martial starting.

 

[UncleBob]

Can he really do much worse than Rashford, Greenwood and Sancho have done the past 2 months?

Doubt it, but he wants a move and either he's completely out of the squad because:

- He wants the move
- He wants the move and isn't putting in enough effort in training.

Ralf seems fairly dismissive, so doesn't seem to be much point in suddenly trying to involve him now.

Ideally we trim down the squad

 

[Sparky_Hughes]

Anyone else think it's worth bringing him out of exile and giving him a run?

If he wants to leave 100% then fine let him go. But if it's down to lack of playing time, if I were Ralf I would swallow my pride and give him a run. I don't think any of our wingers merit their starting spot based off the past few months, certainly not giving an outstanding performance that puts them head and shoulders above what Martial can bring.

Last thing we need is another disinterested stroppy git stomping round the place

 

[poleglass red]

Anyone else think it's worth bringing him out of exile and giving him a run?

If he wants to leave 100% then fine let him go. But if it's down to lack of playing time, if I were Ralf I would swallow my pride and give him a run. I don't think any of our wingers merit their starting spot based off the past few months, certainly not giving an outstanding performance that puts them head and shoulders above what Martial can bring.

I don't think Rangnick cares too much about starting players who are destined to leave. He brought Lingard on last night, it's no secret he's not happy and looking to leave. Cavani would be out of here tomorrow if he could. I'm not sure what Martial would bring right now, the team is so unbalanced.

 

[zaafi]

I just finished watching a compilation on YouTube of all his goals and it's almost surreal how unplayable he was at times and his current level. I do believe it's a psychological problem rather than a physical/technical one. I think he needs to be the main man to perform his best and he won't get that here. He did for a season here and was really, really good but after that he doesn't seem as interested. A fresh start elsewhere will probably give him the boost he needs, similar to Depay and he plays for fecking Barcelona ffs. There's not a chance that Depay is better than Martial when they're both at their best.

 

[Red Shorts]

Doubt it, but he wants a move and either he's completely out of the squad because:

- He wants the move
- He wants the move and isn't putting in enough effort in training.

Ralf seems fairly dismissive, so doesn't seem to be much point in suddenly trying to involve him now.

Ideally we trim down the squad

Can't argue on those bullet points. Definitely feels like the closest he has been to leaving, so if it's 100% the case then a reason not to involve him.

Last thing we need is another disinterested stroppy git stomping round the place

Maybe it's the "glass half full" attitude of mine, thinking if he had a chance to stake his claim, now would be a good time to show it. You're probably right that his attitude would be no different to those currently playing.

I don't think Rangnick cares too much about starting players who are destined to leave. He brought Lingard on last night, it's no secret he's not happy and looking to leave. Cavani would be out of here tomorrow if he could. I'm not sure what Martial would bring right now, the team is so unbalanced.

Those two points kind of contradict each other? I know Lingard didn't start, but rather would Rangnick be interested in playing them at all if they want so desperately to leave?

 

[ash_86]

250k a week and he's sitting on the bench for months. How did it get to this?

 

[UncleBob]

250k a week and he's sitting on the bench for months. How did it get to this?

He's not on the bench, if that helps

 

[ash_86]

He's not on the bench, if that helps

Just realised that , feck it's worse

 

[Greck]

He's an idiot. With every striker in poor form the door into the team is wide open but he went and gave the new manager a bad impression from day one. He didn't even take a wait and see approach.

 

[Red Shorts]

He's an idiot. With every striker in poor form the door into the team is wide open but he went and gave the new manager a bad impression from day one. He didn't even take a wait and see approach.

Yeah horrendous decision on that front.