Anthony Martial made his return to Manchester United’s starting line-up against Aston Villa last night, for just the second time this season.
The Frenchman has struggled with injuries which killed off his World Cup hopes, but the former Golden Boy winner is still a player Manchester United have high hopes for.
Sky Sports pundit Peter Schmeichel talked about Martial pre-game, and after noting that his finishing in the warm-up was highly impressive, he talked about how difficult it would be as a goalkeeper to go up against the striker.
Schmeichel noted that Martial has such variety in his game that it is not easy to predict what he might do, and that goalkeepers can’t manipulate him.
Anthony Martial is ‘special’, says Schmeichel
Speaking to SkySports, Schmeichel observed: “I’m a goalkeeper I’m facing him one to one, I’m trying to make him do what I want to do, he’s going to do the opposite, that’s why he’s very very good.
“He can finish from any angle, any foot, right foot, left foot, high, low, you cannot read him. That’s what makes him special.”
At the start of the year Martial’s spell at United looked to be coming to a close, with the Frenchman expressing a desire to move away from the club.
He signed for Sevilla on loan, and realised the grass is not always greener, suffering injury problems in La Liga and scoring only one goal.
He has shown a new appetite for life at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag’s management, this week stating that the Dutchman is the perfect manager for him.
Last night he scored in United’s win over Aston Villa, netting his third goal of the campaign.
His problem this season has been staying fit, and this has thrown United’s plans off course too, particularly at the start of the season.
Now he is fit heading into the break, and United will need him to stay healthy for the rest of the season, but this is not a scenario which it feels like Ten Hag can afford to rely on, regardless of his talent.
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