Souness critical of Martial despite hat-trick heroics in Man Utd win

Anthony Martial TEAMtalk

Graeme Souness believes that Anthony Martial needs to be more like Marcus Rashford if he is to reach the top of his game at Man Utd.

Having initially impressed under Louis Van Gaal following his arrival from Monaco, the 24-year-old endured a topsy-turvy few years. Indeed, Jose Mourinho was keen to sell the inconsistent forward.

But successor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put his faith in Martial and gave him the number nine shirt back at the start of the season. The former Red Devils frontman has also helped the Frenchman fine tune his work in front of goal.

The 1999 treble hero has been rewarded with Martial’s best goalscoring season to date. With Wednesday’s impressive treble against Sheffield United taking his tally to 19.

Despite acknowledging that Martial played well against the Blades, Souness was still critical of his overall attitude to football.

“The third one [goal] was class,” Souness told Sky Sports.

“But we know he’s class. He’s got everything to be a top player if he could just have the same enthusiasm as Rashford the way he (conducts himself).

“There’s no doubt Martial is a proper player but he seems to hide it, sometimes he doesn’t seem interested but he was tonight. Maybe the answer is for him to score early in every game he plays and stays interested.”

 

SOLSKJAER RAISES THE BAR AS THREE MAN UTD TARGETS REVEALED

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thought his side should have been more clinical after they disposed of Sheffield United on Wednesday evening.

United won 3-0 and deservedly so as Paul Pogba started his first game since September.

After the game, Solskjaer told reporters that United can still get better in front of goal – and he is also dreaming of a higher finish than fourth place.

“Very pleased with the performance but there is still more to come,” said Solskjaer.

 

 

“We could and should have scored more goals to put the game to bed before half-time. It is always worrying going into half-time knowing you should have scored goals.

“The way we controlled the game, pressed and stopped them playing, [I’m] very happy with it. Still more to come and we shouldn’t be 100 per cent happy with it.

“I have never said fourth is our aim. We would like third and there are two cups for us.”

Solskjaer had words of praise for the hat-trick hero, Martial. And it appeared the treble was no mistake, as the manager revealed two of the goals came from training routines.

“Very happy for Anthony when you get a hat-trick. It’s just unfortunate he didn’t celebrate with our fans.” Read more…