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A lot of people criticised the front men for Utd at Sheffield. Some calling Martial the weakest link. @GNev2 was critical of the front three virtually throughout the game. I think the criticism was a touch over the top, particularly of Martial who was our best player for me #GGMU
Martial was criticised for not showing for the ball, in truth it was players ignoring him or passing poorly that let him down. Look at this 20 seconds in. Pereira refuses a really simple pass to him and plays a long ball to Williams. What’s the best Williams can do with this ?
If you look at the end of that video you see Martial turn to talk to Pereira. He must surely be saying something like “keep it simple and pass to feet”
Only 6 mins gone now and he finds a pocket of space behind Rashford. Rashford gives Fred a decent return ball but Fred’s ball to Martial, that isn’t too difficult, doesn’t give Martial a chance.
13 mins and Martial shows for the ball and gets a decent pass this time. Takes a sure touch and gives a short ball to Rashford. It’s tight, but he had to give it to him, perhaps Rashford should do a little better with it.
A minute later and he’s showing for it on the right. He gets it and with plenty of opponents around him he keeps it and passes it well. It’s his job to link play up like this. We need to get the ball to him more. Moving it around well like he does leads to chances as we see later
He’s showing again. G Nev constantly saying in commentary that they are not showing. Martial is showing time and time again. This time AWB doesn’t give him a chance. His pass his so poor that some might think that it’s not even meant for Martial.
17 mins now and Martial tries a run behind. A top passer like say, Carrick, gets it over the defender. An ordinary player needs to at least make the defender jump to head it, then we may pick it up again. The defender slips to the floor but still deals with Fred’s pass.
18 mins. Shows again, receives, turns and finds Rashford. His pass looks scruffy but finds it’s target. On another day, this could easily lead to a chance. Utd were poor, especially first half, but Martial was involved in anything half decent. Things like this lead to goals later
Lays it off nicely with his left foot to Pereira and waits for a return with arms out to Pereira. Pereira refuses. We need to give it to him in these situations. A turn and pass by Martial can take three defenders out of the game. I’ll put a photo up that shows the ease of a pass
