Anthony Martial hasn’t had the best of seasons, however, after his cameo against Arsenal he has a chance to finish the season on a high. Which could be crucial if he wants to be a regular next season.
Despite the fanboys telling you different, this season has been a real struggle for Martial. More frustratingly, he got off to the perfect start netting three goals and an assist in his first five games. But, he failed to capitalize.
In four of those first five games, Martial was brought off the bench, replacing Marcus Rashford every time. Martial was given his first starts back-to-back against Liverpool and Huddersfield, both in which he failed to make an impact. After dropping to the bench for two games, he was once again reinstated to the starting XI and given a lengthy run.
Prior to the turn of the new year, Martial had made 10 starts. He’d only scored two goals and made one assist in those matches, being subbed off in nine of them. There was a feeling of promise but also missed opportunity about the Frenchman’s seasons so far.
January Player of the Month
2018 couldn’t have got off to a better start for Manchester United or Anthony Martial. The Red Devils defeated Everton on new years day in a 2-0 victory. More importantly, it seemed as though Mourinho had found a way to get the best out of Paul Pogba whilst remaining solid in defence and potent in attack. Pogba set up Martial for the opening goal.
At home to Stoke United and Pogba went one better. Pogba was awarded the Man of the Match as Mourinho’s men cruised to victory against Stoke 3-0. Martial netting another beauty.
They made it three wins on the spin the following week away to Burnley, Martial scoring for his third time in three games, bagging the winner.
Two days later Manchester United announced the signing of Alexis Sanchez, surely a boost for the squad. Well, it seemed not. United travelled to Wembley to face Spurs, Alexis Sanchez got first dibs on the left and Martial was shoved out to the right. It’s fair to say neither was very effective as United were torn apart losing 2-0.
But, due to Martial’s top form throughout the month, he was named January’s best player. Although, it was the last fixture against Spurs which foreshadowed how the remainder of his season would pan out.
Alexis Sanchez arrival
“Competition for places is positive for a squad”, they say. I don’t think it’s as black and white as this. It may deal a player with a confidence blow, worried that their place in the side which was once secure is now under threat. They start to rush their chances thinking they must score or assist every game to get into the side.
Alexis Sanchez came into the squad and narrowed the possibility of Martial getting regular football even more so. You wouldn’t be able to argue this if Sanchez had made an astronomic impact but he didn’t. Even when Martial has played, he’s been shunted out to the right, which has never been his strongest position.
All of the form the Frenchman showed in January has just petered out. And you get the feeling Martial is a player who needs match rhythm and when he’s hot you have to keep playing him.
Injury and transfer rumours
Then came an injury. Martial was sidelined for two games due to a thigh problem. One of those missed fixtures was against rivals Liverpool, where Marcus Rashford netted a brace. Another player competing for the left wing position.
With Martial fully out of the picture for a short period, the press chose to use the opportunity. The rumour mill was in full flow with Martial expected to be axed by Jose in the Summer. Gareth Bale being a possible replacement too.
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Martial made his comeback as a sub against West Brom and started the next match against Bournemouth after Mourinho had rung the changes with an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon. You felt if Martial had not of taken this chance those rumours may well have turned true come the summer.
Thankfully, he did, emphatically. Both him and Marcus Rashford impressed emphatically tearing the Cherries apart on the counter-attack. They were both unsurprisingly back on the bench for the FA Cup semi-final and against Arsenal though.
A chance to kick on
A late cameo at Old Trafford against the Gunners last Sunday has given Martial a real chance to give Jose a lasting memory of his ability going into the summer.
Martial came on with 25 minutes to go and was Manchester United’s best attacking threat the whole game. He looked back to his best, skinning defenders and driving into the box. Impressively too, his distribution and crossing were the strongest I’ve seen from him.
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Although short, this bright performance may have snuck Martial into this weekends starting XI against Brighton. But unlike previously, he NEEDS to capitalize on being rewarded with a top, top showing.