Anthony Martial is Manchester United's best striker so why is he out wide? It's an issue, writes Adam Bate...
"I think he has been incredible. You can see what a good player he is and he'll be an important player for us from now until the end of the season." - Wayne Rooney, United Review
Wayne Rooney's recent praise of Anthony Martial is exactly what you'd expect of Manchester United's captain. But it ignores the rather pertinent point that it's the skipper himself whose presence as the team's centre-forward is currently preventing the teenager from making an even bigger impact at Old Trafford. The case for change is growing.
It's impressive how Martial has taken on the responsibility of the wide role in recent games, studiously maintaining the width while Juan Mata roams inside on the other flank. United have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League with Martial on the left and Van Gaal has praised his willingness to listen. This diligence is encouraging.
But the Frenchman was honest enough to admit earlier this month that he prefers to play as a centre-forward and it's easy to see why. He has already scored goals for United in that position and Rooney's struggles offer a revealing comparison. The now 30-year-old has two Premier League goals in 810 minutes of action - and one of those was bundled over the line following Martial's fine work.
Rooney hardly touched the ball inside the box against Manchester City
Rooney hardly touched the ball inside the box against Manchester City
It should be the senior men helping Martial. Instead United are worryingly reliant on the youngster. "There was only one attacking player today who could look back on this game and be pleased with his performance - Martial," Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports in reviewing the draw with Manchester City. "Every time the ball comes to him something's going to happen because he's got that pace."
Martial effect
No Manchester United player completed seven dribbles in a Premier League game last season. Anthony Martial has done so in each of his last two appearances.
Van Gaal has been open about this need for speed and Martial is the man charged with making things happen. He is averaging almost eight dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season - more than any other player - and has completed seven of them in each of the last two games against Everton and City. Remarkably, no United player managed that even once last season.
