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The whole point of Ten Hag's football is creating tap ins. If one can understand that they can see why he prefers Martial. He didn't mince his words so there isn't exactly room for divergent interpretation. Going back to preseason Martial in his very limited appearances is yet to post a bad game under Ten Hag. He fits like a glove. We just need to bin Ronaldo and get a backup that isn't a total liability in everything he mentioned.
Martial will get the half season to prove his fitness. If he does, we won't sign a starting level striker to replace him. We'll sign a backup for him. If he struggles with fitness again, then yeah we'll spend big I think. But martial with his performance levels, his abilities, his style is perfect for Ten Hag I think and we'd need a 100m player just to match what Martial can do (when fit). I don't think it's a question of ability/motivation with him anymore.
So.... Fitness... Which he will have the chance to prove in this half year til the summer. Because of course. It was the same with Rashford. Nobody in their right mind would spend 100m to probably not even upgrade one what someone you have can offer if they just get fit, or some confidence (which was rashfords case). There comes a point where you move on, but that sure as shit isn't yet for Ten Hag with Martial given he has been class every time he's stepped on the pitch for Ten Hag.
Did you reason the situation before typing it out? What kind of shallow surface level discussion wants to talk about buying a new striker without addressing the pecking order? You think we'll get one before sorting Ronaldo?
Jesus fecking Christ. Yes, I know I brought him up. Hence the point made about the pecking order. It needs sorting out because there's this thing called the january window. Christ.
He's played well when he's played.
He's said it a few times that he's missed martial and how important he sees him and it's quite clear that Martial is the main striker for Ten Hag. You'd have to be blind and not paid attention in how he's used him since he joined not to see that.
First choice in january? Where did that come from? Certainly not the post you quoted.
He was good under Ole as well. Especially in that 19/20 season. You can rewatch that City game before Covid, he was brilliant.
Tbf it's cos he was. He might have shown a good pressing brain but he didn't seem to use it as much.
Let’s hope so
Martial has always been a good presser, but mourinho made people think he's lazy because he doesnt run around like a headless chicken chasing lost causes. ETH is such a breathe of fresh air, and plays the kind of football that will fit Anto to a tee
I may not remember the specific words, but mourinho would put out all these backhanded comments on Martial that alluded to him being lazy. Anyway, he was past it and failed to realise that he had a player with all the skillsets he wanted to instill into a lesser player such as Lukaku. Thankfully we now have a sane manager with a fantastic philosophy of the game.
Hard to get injured after such minimalistic performance.
