OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER clearly sees something in Anthony Martial that Jose Mourinho did not.
It was in the summer of 2018 away at Manchester United’s LA training base when the former boss indicated privately that he was ready to let him go.
Anthony Martial endured another torrid day for Man Utd in draw with Aston VillaCredit: PA:Press Association
Martial skied over for Man Utd from just four yards in 2-2 draw vs Aston VillaCredit: EPA
He was overruled by the club’s hierarchy.
Mourinho saw something very early on in the player’s body language and attitude that was not going to fit for him.
He felt the French forward listened to his agent more than he listened to him.
Well whatever Solskjaer is telling him he is certainly not listening to him either, not on the evidence of the last two games.
Pundit Gary Neville was at his wits end complaining about a lack of movement upfront in the first half at Bramall Lane with Martial barely involved.
With the exception of a couple of darting runs it was the same against Aston Villa.
While Marcus Rashford is constantly on the move and giving his team-mates something to aim for Martial is a static figure.
The goals stats are not a disaster but this is not a player who is going to be a danger to opponents week in week out.
Gone are the excuses about age, adapting to the Premier League etc.
Solskjaer must now give up on Martial and give Mason Greenwood a chanceCredit: AP:Associated Press
A game like this against a side who just don’t win away from home was a present for a top class forward.
Martial just didn’t accept it.
Rashford did with a goal and non-stop running, even Victor Lindelof got on the score sheet in this 2-2 draw.
Daniel James provides a threat with his crosses but as a number nine Martial does not read these situations.
When he did have a chance to win this game in a 78th minute goalmouth scramble he somehow managed to scoop the ball over the net from four yards.
You could argue he was trying to be clever, but ended up looking daft.
For me this team look far more threatening when teenager Mason Greenwood is on the pitch.
He can sniff out a goal, his movement spreads defences, but Solskjaer is reticent to give the 18-year-old too much game time.
He waited until the 82nd minute to switch them in this game.
To drop Martial for Greenwood from the start seems to be too big a call right now, but it’s one that needs to be made.
Gary Neville slams Man United’s ‘joke’ front three as Solskjaer’s side ‘lack leaders to set standard’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
