Aniket Rai
Ex-Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov advises Anthony Martial to improve his game
Speaking to BetFair in an interview (h/t Daily Mail), former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov heaped praise on new signing Edinson Cavani after criticizing Anthony Martial.
Anthony Martial scored 23 goals in 48 matches last season for Manchester United but has had a terrible start this season as he has netted only twice in all competitions. (h/t Daily Mail)
His performances drew further scrutiny after he missed a sitter in Manchester United’s 3-1 home loss to PSG in a decisive UEFA Champions League game.
Speaking about Martial’s poor form this season, United’s former Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov criticized his displays and contrasted it with the performances of Martial’s strike partner, Cavani.
‘He needs to up his game, not only him but the whole team too. In the really important games, he needs to shine even more. I’ve been surprised with how well Edinson Cavani has performed, the guy is 33 years old and he’s running around the pitch like he’s a 25-year-old.”
Cavani, United’s new summer signing, scored just 4 goals for PSG in the Ligue 1 last year and was sidelined from the squad. (h/t Daily Mail)
However, Cavani’s impressive performance against Istanbul Besaksehir, followed up by a match-winning performance off the bench against Southampton last weekend, earned him plaudits from fans and pundits alike, including Berbatov.
Berbatov went on to advise Martial to be physical in games like Cavani and model his game around the Uruguayan.
“Fighting for the ball, making spaces, the passion he had is still there and that is something that Martial needs to look at and improve on. He needs to bully defenders and get dirty from time to time.”
The Bulgarian went on to say that Martial should seek advice from Ole and especially Cavani, with whom the Frenchman shares the commonality of having played in Ligue 1.
“Hopefully, win or lose, he looks for advice from Ole, and with Cavani there he can see how he is moving around and they’ve both been in the French league so they will know each other.”
Manchester United travel to West Ham United in the Premier League this weekend before a ‘draw or die’ match against RB Leipzig next week in the Champions League group stages.
