da apostaganha： I think it’s fair to say that Manchester United’s season has been a mixed one at best. The high standards set by the club under ‘Fergie’ demand that anything less than title-challenges, long cup runs and fast, free-flowing, attacking football is deemed as a failure.
da betway： So in that regard, the second season under Van Gaal is far from acceptable for the majority of United fans. The performances of his side have been roundly criticised from fans, media and even former-players for their lack of dynamism, the lighting-quick counter-attacking football synonymous with United nowhere to be seen.
It seems strange to think the Old Trafford side were favourites for the Premier League at one point, but that was the case back in the autumn. But since then, they’ve slid out of the top four, failed to make it out of the Group stage in the Champions League, and just generally underwhelmed as a side.
[ffc-gal cat=”manchester-united” no=”5″]
Pulling any positives out of this season, therefore, seems like a tough task. But in Anthony Martial they certainly have “one for the future” and is probably the brightest light to come out of a relatively dismal season. Having forked out an initial £36m, possibly rising to £57m dependent on clauses, to Monaco for Martial’s services, the United hierarchy clearly feel the same about his potential, his transfer fee the highest ever for a teenager.
And the clauses in the contract suggest they see a big future for the youngster. three individual provisions of around seven million each should the player reach 25 goals, obtain 25 international caps or in fact wins the Ballon D’or in the space of his four-year contract at United. Some are more likely than others of course, but it speaks highly of Martial’s ability that they are seen as viable components to include in a contract.
With 11 goals across all competitions already for the teenager, the first of those seems almost certain and even the other’s aren’t beyond the realms of possibility. In fact, I’m going to suggest that not only will Martial become United’s most important player next season, but will lead the entire Premier League in goals for the 2016/17 season.
We’ve already seen glimpses of his immense talent of course. Bursting into public consciousness with his superb goal against Liverpool back in September, when he came on as substitute, his first full-start was marked with a brace in a 3-2 win against Southampton. And his latest goal, the equaliser against West Ham in the FA Cup quarter-final, showed tremendous awareness and neat finishing given the angle.
The young striker’s exploits haven’t gone un-noticed by another No.9 formerly at Old Trafford either, Andy Cole recently telling the official match program, United Review, that he believes Martial will have a “massive future in the game if he keeps developing. He is the silver lining so far this season. He came for a lot of money and was an unknown, whichever way you look at it, but the way he’s adapted to the Premier League is brilliant”
High praise indeed from one of United’s most prolific strikers, and praise that hints at big things to come for both the youngster, and his club. The managerial situation at Old Trafford remains up in the air for now, but whether LVG remains in charge for next season or another manager, possibly Mourinho, comes in, the Manchester giants must surely improve on their inconsistencies this season. And basing their attack around the young Frenchman will go a long way to aiding the cause.
With new signings certain to be bought in, tactics and formation tweaked and with a year of Premier League experience under his belt, Martial has such supreme talent and potential that, should things fall into place, he can easily set the Premier League alight next season and beyond.
The last few seasons may have been a strange experience for many a United fan, but Martial’s presence in the squad and continued development should see them return to the top of the English game sooner rather than later.
[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]