There Is More to Anthony Martial's Game Than Just Scoring Goals

At the eighth time of asking, Manchester United forward Anthony Martial finally opened his Premier League account for the season with a goal against Sheffield United.

As a so-called striker, goals are always going to be your bread and butter, or "pain au du buerre" in the Frenchman’s case. However, despite Martial's goal drought, he has proven that his use to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the Red Devils extends far beyond how many times he makes the ball hit the back of the net - contrary to popular belief.

When Martial got his number nine shirt back last season it was clear that going forward, leading the line for Manchester United was his main desire. The decision to hand him the jersey was justified, too, as he finished as the club’s top goalscorer during 2019/20, and picked up the Player's Player of the Year award gong at the end of season awards.

No longer was Martial the 'moody' winger, he was getting goals which would produce a smile. Funnily enough, one of his highlights at centre forward last season was when he put three past Sheffield United in a 3-0 victory over the Blades.

This season though, troubled by suspension and minor injuries, Martial has been unable to get going in front of goal. However, as a number nine, he has shown a new dynamic to his game and that’s one that favours the team even when he is not scoring.

Martial’s name as a striker that doesn’t score, but is crucial in the way his team plays, is not as attractive as a Roberto Firmino or even a Harry Kane this season, but that's the role he's taken on for the Red Devils, even though he will always find the net (eventually) given his natural instincts in front of goal.

Against Sheffield United, Martial created the most chances of any Manchester United player including Bruno Fernandes. As well as his creative abilities being on display with an assist and 14 final third passes, the Frenchman showed a more robust side to his game with three ball recoveries.

Granted, any player can create a number of chances as a one-off. But this hasn't been a one-off with Martial.

Despite playing significantly less minutes than Firmino, he has created a third of the 'big chances' that the Brazilian has this season, in five fewer games. Going back to last season, Martial finished the season with eight big chances created, compared to Firmino's 10 in the Premier League, while he finished just two behind the Liverpool man in terms of assists.

While the statistics are not identical, nor are they better, they are extremely similar.

Martial is held to a regard at Manchester United where he should be scoring all the goals, while Firmino's lesser goal returns are explained away as his unique role in a team that has Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah scoring bucket loads.

When you then consider that Marcus Rashford netted 22 last season and Mason Greenwood 17, the logic doesn't quite add up when it comes to Martial - not only is he a bit of a provider himself, he's also a clinical finisher too.

One goal this season is a meagre return for him, and it's a number that Martial will have set his sights on improving quickly. But as his game evolves and he continues to feature for United in a central role, it's clear to see that the former Monaco star is not your typical striker. Edinson Cavani is out-and-out goalscorer, Martial is far more rounded and will put in the hard yards with his link-up play and movement.

So please, let's drop the rhetoric that Martial isn't scoring enough goals and let's take off our Firmino tinted glasses; they are more similar than you think, and the United forward needs to be judged as the kind of striker he really is.