Annoyed Manchester United star simply has to accept his situation and perform better

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Manchester United forward Anthony Martial looked unhappy as he was substituted off away at Bournemouth at the weekend.

Anthony Martial is the best striker Manchester United currently have. That sums up the dearth of forward options at the club right now.

At the weekend he was substituted after just 57 minutes as the Red Devils made a change, and he looked frustrated with it.

Martial headed down the tunnel after he was taken off, before later rejoining his teammates on the substitutes bench.

Anthony Martial has to make most of his chance

No player likes to be substituted, especially one who can see his time running out before his eyes.

Whether Anthony Martial reads the gossip columns or not, he won’t be oblivious to the fact Manchester United are looking to sign a striker or two this summer.

He needs to show why he is worth keeping, or, potentially put himself in the shop window for other clubs. He is not currently succeeding with either.

Anthony Martial has eight goals this season in total, five in the Premier League. While injuries have played their part in his poor output, that doesn’t tell the entire story either.

He has been available consistently over the past few weeks, and has scored only two goals in 11 appearances. Even if you throw the Villa game out as he played just four minutes, it’s two goals in 10.

During this time, he has not played 90 minutes once. In fact, he has not played 90 minutes for Manchester United since September 2021, and in the Premier League since January 2021.

Erik ten Hag may be testing Martial’s patience with his constant substitutions, but there is very good reason for this.

Why Anthony Martial keeps getting substituted

First lets look at this match in isolation. Anthony Martial offered little against Bournemouth. He had three shots at goal, two of which were blocked by defenders, and one of which missed the target.

Even though Wout Weghorst isn’t a good replacement option, he is different, and Erik ten Hag wanted to change it up with Bournemouth beginning the second half strongly.

More importantly, Ten Hag just doesn’t trust Anthony Martial to stay fit, and he is taking these decisions with the FA Cup final in mind.

Martial is United’s preferred starting option up front for the final, and Ten Hag is managing his minutes so that he gets to Wembley.

The Frenchman needs to accept this, and also simply do more to persuade Ten Hag to leave him on the pitch. Right now he isn’t doing enough. Sulking around will do him no good.