Why Anthony Martial Can Turn Into A Game Changer For Manchester United This Season
Manchester United have made loads of progress since they got rid of Louis van Gaal from Old Trafford last summer. The Red Devils now have one of the strongest squads in Europe and though Jose Mourinho’s expenditure of £250m+ has now given them some star players for years to come. There are a few players who joined the club before the Portuguese, who could have a huge say in the club’s future.
The likes of David de Gea, Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera are prime examples of the same but one player who is now ready to step up his game is French international Anthony Martial.
Linked with a loan move to Inter Milan and AS Monaco in the summer, Martial has failed to establish himself in the first team under Jose Mourinho, after making a stellar start to his career with the Red Devils.
A striker who can lead the attack for the side, Martial has often played in a winger’s role under Mourinho and LVG and this has surely made it tough for him to assert himself on the squad. Known for his quick feet and dazzling dribbles, Martial is a genuine goal scorer who can create and set up chances consistently too. At just 21, he has already made 56 league appearances in England, to add to his 15 national team appearances, and is a star for the future.
Shockingly, Mourinho is trying to build a young team at Old Trafford that can dominate Europe for years to come. The likes of Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku are still well below 25 years of age and Martial fits into this system pretty well.
Lukaku is expected to lead the attack for United, while Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial will fight for a place on the right wing. But if the pre-season is anything to go by, Martial deserves to start the season for Manchester United.
He has always shown great tactical nous in the final third. Though he is fazed out at times in front of the goal, he is still an impact player, as United have learnt over the last two years. Having spent two long years with the club, Martial is slightly senior among players of his age group and will surely be more comfortable playing in the first team than ever before.
Now, all that he needs is a bit of a backing up from the manager himself and if he can produce moments like the one against Real Madrid in the pre-season, the Portuguese gaffer cannot keep him out of the first team for long. Surely, this season has all the makings to turn into a career changing one for the 21-year old.