Anthony Martial was Man United's sole shining light in demoralising derby defeat

Matt Jones - Editor 10:41 12/11/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Manchester City’s Premier League title procession was spoiled by party poopers United in April – but there was little danger of a repeat result at the Etihad on Sunday as City and their fans revelled in a 3-1 win.

    Pep Guardiola’s hosts surged out of the blocks at a relentless pace and David Silva put them ahead. They seemed to take their foot off the pedal as United then grew into the game – but Sergio Aguero’s rocket at the start of the second half gave them a cushion.

    Anthony Martial’s penalty gave United half a chance – but substitute Ilkay Gundogan strolled in to make the points safe late on.

    Here, we analyse Martial’s performance more closely, having come into the game onto a goal-scoring hot streak.

    STATISTICS

    Goals – 1

    Assists – 0

    Shots – 3

    Shots on target – 1

    Touches – 52

    Passes – 35

    Key passes – 0

    Dribbles – 0

    Dispossessed – 1

    30-SECOND REPORT

    However unlikely a United win seemed before kick-off, the recent performances of their flamboyant Frenchman would have given United fans encouragement.

    United have been almost entertaining in the last month and their form has been embodied by Martial – whose goal here made it six in his last seven games.

    While fellow forwards Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard failed to get a grip on proceedings, Martial was the one outlet that allowed the away side occasional breathing room from City’s suffocating grip.

    His 52 touches was sixth most among team-mates and 23 and 24 more respectively than Rashford and Lingard. Not bad with United’s supply lines swamped.

    Anthony Martial

    GOT RIGHT

    Take your chance – United were outplayed for large periods of this game – no surprise there – but when they were provided with a sliver of a chance, Martial stepped up and took it stylishly. The Frenchman has been in fine form recently and he was always the player who looked most likely to spark an upset.

    Digging deep – Martial was always going to be a key player for United, as one of few players in a red shirt with the genuine class to match those in blue. He contributed all over the field and his ability to get his head up and take on opponents always meant City had to be wary.

    His combination with Luke Shaw down United’s left is burgeoning and he even chipped in defensively with two clearances.

    GOT WRONG

    Still more to come – A lot of talk surrounding United these days revolves around leaders and their lack of them. With the envious ability Martial possesses, he should be the man United go to in pressure situations.

    Even though he stood tall here and got United back in the game, he still operates from within his shell at times. He’s been brilliant in recent weeks but there is still so much more to come from this enormous talent.

    KEY MOMENTS

    58th min GOAL: Pressure moment but Martial steps up and nervelessly rolls the ball into the right corner as Ederson goes the wrong way from the spot.

    89th min TACKLE: The game is gone but Martial is still trying to affect the game. He wins the ball off Silva and feeds Fellaini, but the ball is lost.

    VERDICT

    An underdog United travelling into the belly of the beast from across the city was hardly the best indicator to gauge Martial’s recent impressive run – but of all United’s players that you could point a finger at, the 22-year-old was not one of them.

    He kept Kyle Walker honest down the left flank so the England man could not relentlessly foray forward as usual. The former Monaco star also produced under the fiercest pressure with his spot kick and generally looked the one genuine threat going forward in red.

    RATING: 7/10

    All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com

    Recommended