MY ACCOUNT
Anthony Martial’s Manchester United career looked to be over — but he has come back from the brink at Old Trafford.
The Frenchman spent the second half of last term on loan at Sevilla, after falling out of favour in M16.
But the striker enjoyed a prolific pre-season, before injury robbed him of the chance to begin the current campaign as a regular starter.
Ahead of United’s clash with Everton tonight, we assess whether Martial can become Erik ten Hag’s go-to option up front.
Gaining game time
Martial’s pre-season form suggested that the Parisian might begin this season as United’s first-choice centre-forward — but an ill-timed injury denied him that opportunity.
The 26-year-old has made just three appearances totalling 104 minutes across all competitions as he continues his return to full fitness.
That total puts him 19th in the Red Devils squad for minutes played — though Martial’s form in those limited outings indicates that plenty more game time will be coming his way.
A cautious approach
Ten Hag insisted after United’s 3-2 Europa League win over Omonia Nicosia that he would not rush Martial back, regardless of his form.
He said: “We want to do it really careful because he had a good pre-season.
“Good, fit, also good impact and last 10 minutes [of the pre-season friendly] against Atletico Madrid he fell out and then he returned against Liverpool, so another injury, that put him far back.
“I cannot force it. I have to do it with a plan, that is what we’re trying to do. It’s quite clear.
“Happy with his performance [against Omonia Nicosia] — all the subs had a really good impact. That’s what I expect from players on the bench.
“You are not playing with 11, you are playing with five, so every sub has to be ready and tonight is just the best example you can get.”
Goal-den touch
Martial could hardly have made a better comeback from his Achilles injury.
He has scored three times in just over an hour of football this month, netting twice in the second half of the Manchester derby against Manchester City and coming off the bench to help the Red Devils fight back against Omonia Nicosia.
Unbelievably, the former Monaco star’s three goals have come from each of his three shots this season, giving him a 100% conversion rate.
It would be unrealistic, of course, to expect Martial to maintain those numbers — but he is proving a real threat in the final third.
What to do with Rashford?
Marcus Rashford is the only player to score more goals for United this season than Martial — despite playing over 500 more minutes.
In the attacker’s absence, Rashford has been the Red Devils’ first-choice centre-forward, netting five times in all competitions.
It would seem harsh to drop 24-year-old on Martial’s return — but there is a way to include both players in the side.
Rashford scored twice from the left wing in the Europa League victory over Omonia Nicosia and is clearly able to carry a threat from out wide.
Utilising him in that position again would make space for Martial up front.
Who misses out?
Should Rashford start on the left with Martial through the middle, there would be just one attacking spot remaining — with Ten Hag unlikely to utilise two central strikers on a regular basis.
New signing Antony and Jadon Sancho would be left to battle it out for that position and, on current form, the Brazilian is likely to win out.
He has two goals to Sancho’s three but he has made just five appearances to the Englishman’s 10 — and looks the more confident of the pair at present.
