I wrote this article 2 weeks ago. I think I now know what my answers are. Shame.
“Who is Anthony Martial?”
That
was the question on a lot of Manchester United fans’ lips when the 19 year old Frenchman
was announced as Louis Van Gaal’s deadline day signing from Monaco on the 1st
of September, 2015. At $36 million potentially rising to $58 million, his
transfer fee was a then world record for a teenager and this was a bit of an
oddity for a player that was regarded as an unknown quantity.
Erstwhile
Manchester United (and English) record signing, Angel Di Maria had just upped
and offed after one season at Old Trafford and the general expectation was that
a player of similar clout and reputation would come in to replace him. With the
further exits of Radamel Falcao to Chelsea and Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez to Bayer Leverkusen respectively, United was
left with Wayne Rooney and the new and unproven Memphis Depay as first team
strikers (The Europa Cup Round of 32 1st leg match against
Midtjylland FC had not happened so the world had not yet been introduced to a
certain Marcus Rashford by then). There was the return to the UEFA Champions
League and a veritable challenge for the Premier League title to be pursued and
it was therefore only right that all available heavy-hitters should be recruited.
“So who was this Anthony Martial?”
A
quick reference to various search engines provided a brief summary on the
player’s abilities - Quick, good technique, not too much a goal scorer and
positionally versatile were what I came up with. But how would he react under
the unrelenting gaze of the Old Trafford spotlight? Coupled with his humungous
transfer fee would this talent blossom or wither under intense focus? Highlights,
clips and footages are never a true assessment of footballer’s capabilities (see
aforementioned Memphis Depay) and so the jury was still very much out on young
Martial.
The
first glimpse of Martial’s unique talent was seen just 11 days after his signing
against Liverpool in the historic North West derby. Cue the 65th
minute when he came on as a substitute and went on to score the final goal, a
marvelous solo slalom in a 3-1 home victory, making the experienced
Martin Skrtel’s blood curl in the process. His first start about a week later
also remitted two well taken goals in a 2-3 away victory over Southampton. A
cult hero was born.
“Tony Martial
came from France/
The English
Press said he had no chance/
Fifty Million
down the drain/
As Tony
Martial scores again!/
Na na na na…” -
A terrace chant sung for Anthony Martial
Martial
ended up being Manchester United’s top goal scorer over the season with 11 league
goals and 17 overall (including an FA Cup semi-final winning goal against
Everton which may have been his crowning achievement that season) but there was
so much more to this player than goals. Martial had the blitzy pace and close
control of Ronaldo de lima combined with the poise and calm finishing of
Thierry Henry. His potential was limitless and his transfer fee was no longer
spoken of in tones of disbelief or doubt. Old Trafford had its lead singer and
the natural expectation was of course that he would go on to bigger things the
coming season…
But
not quite. Perhaps it was the reported domestic issues he was going through;
perhaps it was the arrival of a new manager and system. Again perhaps, it could
have been the fabled second season blues. Whatever the reason, there was a
clear drop in form (and consequently, appearances. Or was it the other way
round? Which came first?) from the exceptional performer. He scored only about
half the goals (8) he scored in his debut season in almost as many games (admittedly
with almost half of these games as a substitute) and there were rife
accusations of him being a poor trainer and lethargic. I, for one, shamelessly campaigned
for him several
times to be included in the starting line-up particularly in games last season
which eventually ended as draws that I believed his presence would have made
all the difference. A ‘Martial FC’ advocate, you may say. But without that bias,
what was the true position of his performances last season?
If
we agree that football is a performance sport and that 55% of communication is
non-verbal, then Martial’s gestures and postures spoke volumes to the manager
and supporters. While there continued to be several flashes of his brilliance,
the following were also consistently witnessed - The continuous failure to
track back. The casual shrug and trot after losing the ball. The even more
casual aversion to making a tackle. Errant finishing and a sometimes diabolical
final pass. The absolute irrelevance in any position other than the left-wing
(What happened to “positionally versatile”?!). It was doubly frustrating for me
because it was bleedin’ obvious that this guy clearly had in buckets the capabilities of being supremely
world-class. Particularly for prodigious talents, I don’t buy the idea that
their progress should be turnstile-regulated; wait in line for your
turn/opportunity and develop as you are managed – No, jump over the device and
head straight to your destination, I say.
This season, while slightly better than the
last, has also been
very much stop-start. He has flattered to deceive on occasion but has hinted at
being the real deal on other stretches particularly in the beginning of the
season. It has atimes been very hard to justify his inclusion in the team but
there have been just as many occasions where you see how he can be a perfect
fit. It is generally suggested that the younger players usually have
consistency issues in the early stages of their career but this hasn’t been
proven to be an exact science. The more motivated and driven strive to maintain
a certain standard in their play. It may not always be world class level but it
definitely wouldn’t be below average.
I
feel Anthony Martial has to grow a fire in his belly. He has to start to put in
that extra effort that would make him undroppable. The talent is there. So
far, the attitude hasn’t seemed to be. There have been rumours about his
disaffection with his current circumstance and the possibility of pining for a
move come summer. Shame, if true. This is not the case of a player not being a
good fit at a club and seeking opportunities and adaptability elsewhere. He
clearly has a role to play in the squad and it’s just up to him to earn it. At
22 years of age, the time for excuses is over. Hard work beats talent
when talent fails to work hard. Old Trafford has historically rewarded those who
have laboured and excelled in its colours. Stand up and be counted, Martial…"
The end.
The 'Ta ra' squad
In more ways than one.
(For much more than one, even.)
But cheer up. The manager has proactively (not a word I would ordinarily associate with the man, mind you) hinted that a number of deadwood would still remain on the club's books next season. Bliss.
There's still the little matter of finishing 2nd and hopeful FA Cup success to look forward to before the curtains are drawn on what has been an utterly underwhelming season for me. Can't wait for it to end, to be honest. Till then.
Signing Whatever,
DBL.
And Your Answers Are:
- Real Madrid v Liverpool. 12 v 5. Ronaldo v Salah. Zidane v Klopp. White v Red. Thanos v Hulk. And the winner is...
- It's Antoine v Dimitri but would Diego Simeone be allowed to lift the Europa cup since he's still serving an European suspension?
- Arguably the greatest personality in Arsenal's history. A divisive figure. Once avant-garde and futuristic. A relic who failed to move with the times. A managerial genius. Too much a father-figure and economist than a manager. Artistic. Idealistic. A tough rival. There to make up the numbers. How would you remember Arsene Wenger?
- Speaking of which, in a single season, aesthetically, Invicibles or Guardiola's record breaking gang?
- My repeating it has gotten boring. Whatever. Congrats Juventus.
- Do you think Steven Gerrard can break Celtic's stronghold in Scotland? Hahahahahahaha...😂
- Rafael Nadal is virtually unstoppable on clay. That is not a question but a statement. His statistics on the surface is mind-boggling, unprecedented and may never be surpassed. Do you right now even see any pretenders to that throne? (I don't)
- David Haye should retire alongside Wayne Rooney in America. He shouldn't even think about having one last go. But shouldn't Bellew too?
- And then there were four. Houston Rockets v Golden State Warriors. Boston Celtics v Cleveland Cavaliers. The finalists shall be...
- Oh, and yes, since I announced it earlier it's only right I also give material feedback. The relationship with @MUFCLatest turned out to be a very short one. While I shall spare you the unpleasant details, let's just say that some business practices are unacceptable in 2018 and I place a premium on integrity, personally and professionally. We move on, yes? 😊
