Anthony Martial’s game-winning goal against Tottenham displays that he’s responding well to the pressure after a disappointing second season at Manchester United and he’s showing great commitment to the club.
You need more than one decisive goal in a big game, but it is definitely a big boost for him, because as a player you want to contribute and as a striker the best way to contribute is to score.
He’s also responded well to Romelu Lukaku’s header, that takes some understanding and belief that your partner is going to win the ball.
It was the right moment for him to score but it’s everything that he’s done since the beginning of pre-season that is counting now.
The impact he had during the Tottenham game is due to work behind the scenes.
Martial wheels away after netting late winner against Spurs
Martial is still learning, he’s still young, just one year older than Marcus Rashford, but as soon as he’s come on the field this season or started games he’s had an impact from assists or scoring goals.
So he’s progressing and that’s credit to him and the staff to guiding him towards these positive performances.
I’m sure there was interest from other clubs during the summer due to his diminished game time last season but he’s answered with a straightforward statement: “I’m staying, I’m going to prove I’m worth the money invested and I’m worth being a striker for United.”
Credit must also go to Jose Mourinho for bringing out the best in him. Young talented players are being praised by their parents, entourage, agents, press, big fees early on, big contracts, and sometimes they need a kick in the a*** to realise they are not the done deal yet – and that was the case with Anthony.
Will you EVER play Rashford & Martial together in the same XI, Jose?! 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Uv4MxdIdVV
— Goal (@goal) October 30, 2017
He’s not the finished article at the top level, playing for United and the French national team requires more concentration, determination, involvement in the work.
That was the message when there was public criticism from Mourinho and it looks like it’s paying off because Anthony is a better player than he was last season.
You could feel last year was difficult for him – body language, frustration, everything that he was doing wasn’t going his way. But I thought this changed when I saw what he said when his future at United was being questioned by the media.
Saying something is one thing but putting the action in behind is even more important.
He did this during pre-season because that is when I was with the team, watching training and games also. You could see that he was determined to show his critics who was right and start fresh again.
Overall the Spurs match was a good result for United. It’s not always pretty football but its getting the results which is what the club wants and the fans want.
