Despite his injury problems, Anthony Martial remains amongst the most pivotal for Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
Martial has struggled to stay fit throughout his career, one can only dream of the player he could have become.
For example, despite playing only 820 minutes this season, Martial has racked up 10 goals and assists.
This means he has scored or made an assist every 82 minutes, which is a club high with Marcus Rashford coming a distant second.
Rashford has played 3,552 minutes, contributing 28 goals and 10 assists which equates to a contribution every 93 minutes.
This only begins to highlight the importance Martial holds within ten Hags side.
Martial’s importance up front
The main and obvious reason as to why Martial is irreplaceable within this United side, is the lack of alternative.
In the Frenchman’s absence, United relied heavily on Wout Weghorst, a player not cut from the same cloth as Martial.
With five goal contributions in his 1,444 minutes at Old Trafford, Weghorst averages a contribution every 288 minutes.
Therefore the level disparity is huge, and led United to struggle to source goals compared to their rivals this season.
Martial also brings intangibles to the team in his sublime footballing IQ, which leaves him a step above the rest.
Martial is a true deep lying forward, he may be one of the best in that role with injuries the only negative pinned onto him.
United remain heavily rumoured to be targeting a new striker, a fit and firing Martial would solve all their problems.
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