George Baker
Louis Saha urges Manchester United to not sell Anthony Martial
Speaking to talkSPORT (h/t Metro), former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to not sell Anthony Martial. Despite his struggles, Saha believes Martial is a top player.
Martial exploded onto the scene at United like few could imagine, coming on as a sub and scoring a sublime goal against arch-rivals Liverpool on his debut. However, Martial has blown hot and cold since then. Quite how a player can be this inconsistent is baffling. Martial’s league goal-tally are as follows, starting from the 15/16 season – 11, 4, 9, 10, 17, 4*.
Last season, it looked like Martial was finally going to deliver on his potential only for him to deceive us this season. 4 goals in 21 league games isn’t what you want from a striker of a side hoping to challenge for the league title.
The 25-year-old’s inconsistencies this season have led to Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood being preferred as the starting forwards in recent games.
Martial’s struggles this season have given way to speculation about Manchester United letting go of the player. Former striker Saha, though, has come out in support for the Frenchman.
“I really don’t think he’s a player Man United should let go because he can be that player who completes the striking force as he’s unique in the way he plays. When you’re not scoring you need to be obsessed with scoring goals and I think sometimes he doesn’t show that.
“I think he’s a top player, that’s for sure. I think when you’re a No. 9 and you’re not scoring, it’s difficult as people are only asking you to score goals. That’s it.”
Saha added that Martial does not lack talent. Instead, he does not show the urge and desire that he wants to score goals when is in a lean patch.
“When you’re not doing it you’re going to be criticised. You also need to be selfish and adopt a style of play that you really fancy. This is why he’s getting the criticism.
“It’s not about his talent or desire because he has that I’m sure. It’s his expression sometimes. Having that obsession with scoring goals makes it easier because people say he’s been unlucky but you can see when he’s in his comfort zone people get on his back.”
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Martial will need to start delivering on those goals soon. He has often been backed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but with goals drying up and Cavani back fit, it will be hard for him to place Martial in the starting lineup. He will still get games but with each passing game, it feels like he is running out of time to prove himself.
