When Marcus Rashford was forced off just minutes after coming on as a substitute in Manchester United’s FA Cup victory over Wolves a couple of weeks ago, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would no doubt have been left wondering about how his side would cope without their top goal-scorer.
The England international had scored 19 times across all competitions this season for the Red Devils, with the man in second, Anthony Martial, surely seen as the player who would have to step up to the plate in his absence.
But in the four games that United have played without their academy product, Martial has struck just the once – and that was against League One side Tranmere in the FA Cup fourth round.
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Against Manchester City on Wednesday evening, the Frenchman drew yet another blank, and it is has already become clear that he seems to be struggling with the burden of being United’s main man at the moment.
As per Sofascore, he had just two total attempts on goal in the 90 minutes he was on the pitch, with centre-back Harry Maguire even matching that number. Playing at the top of the United attack, Martial just simply couldn’t get into the game, registering just 39 touches all night – out of the players that started the game for the Red Devils, the former AS Monaco man had the fewest.
His 20 passes were also the lowest of any United player, whilst he won just 50% of his total duels and lost possession ten times. On occasion in the second-half, the forward seemed intent on drifting out to the left-hand side for the Red Devils on the counter-attack, rather than moving into more central positions. It meant he left himself far too much to do, with one instance seeing him try to take on the pacy Kyle Walker down the outside, before blazing one over.
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Without Rashford in the team, Martial seems to be crumbling under the pressure of needing to create magic on his own. When the Englishman was in the side, the 24-year-old knew he had a dance partner he could trust. Instead, against City, when he had the opportunity to play in one of his teammates, he either took far too long or chose the wrong option – it was no surprise therefore that he finished with zero key passes against City.
Reports have claimed Rashford is facing up to three months on the side-lines. It’s imperative Martial finds a way to get along without his partner in crime.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans are fuming over this major update on this loanee’s future.