Louis van Gaal unsure of Anthony Martial's best position at Manchester United
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed his doubts about French youngster Anthony Martial and has admitted he does not know where his best position is, as per the reports on Manchester Evening News. Van Gaal’s side played a 0-0 draw to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday and the former AS Monaco forward failed to register his name on the scoresheet once again.
The 20-time English champions are going through a goal drought at the moment and the misfiring United strikers have come under criticism yet again following their goalless draw to the Eagles over the weekend. This result and scoreline marked the Red Devils’ third successive match where they have failed to score.
Alan Pardew and his men did well to limit the opposition’s threat and he had admitted in his post-match interview that his side identified Martial as the ‘dangerman’. Since making his debut in the famous red shirt against rivals Liverpool, the Frenchman has found the back of the net on 5 occasions in 12 games. In all of those games, the former Monaco forward was deployed in a central role by the Dutch coach.
Martial played on the wing at Monaco: Van Gaal
However, in the last four matches, Van Gaal has opted to play him on the left flank in order to accommodate club captain Wayne Rooney in the centre forward position. The former Barcelona coach has admitted he has doubts about Martial’s best position.
“We don't know yet because he played always in Monaco as the left winger,” Van Gaal said. “And as a manager I have to see what is the best balance in the team, and that's not so simple.”
“So I have to decide every week also, dependable of the game plan and the opponent, and so on.
“We have played with him in the striker's position, that was not the first time for him, but in Monaco he played always on the left wing.”
Wenger believes Martial is a natural wide player
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had admitted earlier this year they were keeping a close tab on the French starlet and the club were interested in signing him. Even before Wenger could make any enquiries about Martial’s availability during summer, United swooped for him during the transfer deadline day for a staggering fee of £36 million.
The French manager has compared Martial to the likes of Joel Campbell, Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, insisting that he’s more a wide player, according to Express.
“We [have] known him since he was a kid.” Wenger said. “But he's more of a winger-type.
“He's an exceptional talent I agree with you, but I believe that he plays in positions where we have players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis Sanchez and Joel Campbell who can play in the position.”