The manager’s support favors the French face – publicly at least – but it’s time for him to step up and make the No.9 slot for himself
Anthony Martial is well into his sixth season as a Manchester United player and has yet to consistently hit the desired heights at the club.
For a player who demanded a No.9 shirt after Romelu Lukaku left in 2019, he hasn’t done much lately suggesting what it takes to fulfill that role.
The racial abuse committed by Martial and team-mate Axel Tuanzebe from a small section of right-wing supporters after Wednesday’s defeat to Sheffield United was devastating and the club were quick to condemn the attacks on- line.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also addressed the issue at his press conference on Friday, saying those responsible were not true fans and were “embarrassed” by their actors.
Norway has nothing to do with criticism, as long as it is helpful. As he had assumed after the 2-1 loss at home to Sheffield United, “I think the whole team will get some stick, and me too.”
Solskjaer is certainly right to defend his players, and of course Martial, as much as he can.
The Frenchman’s form had already been under more scrutiny recently and Edinson Cavani’s achievements have just made matters worse for a player who has netted just twice in the Premier League this season.
In fact, the Paris Saint-Germain striker has twice as many high-flying goals – and from 10 fewer starts (four). It also averages more shots on target, covers more ground, speeds up and puts more pressure on defenders in the box.
Even Paul Pogba admits that Cavani has a special “quality” that is yet to be reached for his partner.
On one level, it is unfair to compare them. At 33, and having played as a top-flight center forward for 16 years, Uruguay has spent season after season honoring his craft.
However, Martial is now 25 and had a good chance to retire as Solskjaer ‘s target man. He has only played four of his 16 league games this season on the wing and the rest have been ahead.
“I know Anthony is working hard in training, working on his finish and working on his move,” the manager said of his striker’s inconsistent shape. “I have no credentials that it will go well.”
But how long will it be until it gets good?
Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have never been proven by Martial credentials to lead the attack and that suspicion is shared by a forward move from United ‘s recent departure.
“If it gives you consistency, a game in and a game out every season, I don’t think we’d have this conversation about whether we need a No. 9,” said award-winning Andy Cole. Amas.
“One week, it can be very special and then another week, it’s like: ‘What happened to him?’ It’s like his twin brother is playing. ”
Consistency is a problem that has ruined Martial’s time at the club.
Solskjaer said back in early December that he was not worried about the Frenchman ‘s goal and that he would be “going” soon enough.
After a goal and an assist against Sheffield United, and coming off the bench in the Carabao United Cup competition against Everton at the end of December for a score again, it looked like he was on the table. his jump to put him off for the rest of the season.
But it didn’t work out.
He has not found the net since January 1 and gets an average goal just every 576 minutes in the league. Compare that to the others ahead in the high flight and it makes a very damaging read.
Diogo Jota scored an average goal every 100 minutes before being injured, Mohamed Salah one every 120, and Jamie Vardy one every 135. Then there is Cavani, who gets an average goal every 133 minutes. – not that bad for a last minute sign that many considered buying a panic.
However, Solskjaer is not worried yet and had some advice for Martial ahead of the crucial clash with Arsenal at the weekend.
“Keep working,” said the United boss. “His talent will always take him through. I have no doubt about that.
“Yes, he’s missed a few opportunities but that’s happening to everyone. It’s just about being ready when the opportunity comes, like tomorrow (Saturday), for example. Just be ready for the mind. Don’t be sad.
“I’ve been in the process of going through cookies when you don’t get a goal score. He keeps training, so we know how good he is and we know he will do well. ”
As long as Martial retains Solskjaer ‘s public support, he will not go ahead in private for any longer if he performs as he did against Sheffield United.
Not only did he not score. While Solskjaer has revealed that the 25-year-old has improved with his running and pushing in recent months, he is making a steady setback after losing the ball. Wednesday night and that is not the vision or the enthusiasm that Norway is after.
Cavani is the stop-gap response to United’s No.9 problems but Martial is running out of time to prove he is the long-term solution.
It’s time for him to step in. And the Emirates would be a perfect place to start.