Anthony Martial has finally refound his good form for Manchester United after a difficult start to the 2020/21 campaign. The Frenchman struggled at the start of this season, not scoring until the Red Devils’ twelfth match of the season. Now, though, it seems that he is back on top form, impacting his side positively in many areas, as well as producing some impressive stats.
Anthony Martial Refinding Good Form for Manchester United
Tough Start to the Season
Martial struggled immensely at the beginning of this season. The Frenchman failed to score in United’s first two matches of the season, and less than half an hour into their third, a 6-1 battering at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, he received a red card.
After his return from suspension, Martial was still unable to get himself on the scoresheet, and his performances raised questions about whether he should be the Red Devils’ starting striker, especially with Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood also in the squad.
Martial Bad Form Coinciding With That of United
The Red Devils had a tough start to the season too.
They lost two of their first three games and went on to win just one of their next three. After a 1-0 loss to Arsenal in mid-November, the last of the three matches in Martial’s suspension, the Red Devils started to put together a good run of form in terms of results.
However, their performances didn’t start to look so convincing until a dominating 3-2 victory against relegation battling Sheffield United. Before this, while there may have been consistent results, there were not consistent performances, with games against West Ham United and Southampton both needing miraculous second-half comebacks for the Reds to take home all three points.
Anthony Martial Back on Good Form
United’s victory at Bramall Lane, in which they were much the better team, saw Martial bag his first Premier League goal of the season. He also assisted Marcus Rashford in scoring the winner.
Following this, Martial got two further assists in the Manchester side’s 6-2 thrashing of rivals Leeds United, as well as winning a penalty.
After their Carabou Cup quarter-final win over Everton, the 25-year-old had six direct goal involvements in his last three matches, as his substitute appearance inspired the Reds to a late victory at Goodison Park.
Due to Edinson Cavani now being suspended due to an Instagram post he made earlier in the season, the responsibility up top falls more heavily on Martial’s shoulders. Against Aston Villa, the first of the Uruguayan striker’s three-match ban, Martial showed that he can be relied upon by scoring the opener. This was a massive breakthrough as the Villains’ defence was very well organised, and the goal ended up helping United to a 2-1 victory, taking them level on points with leaders Liverpool.
If the former Monaco attacker can maintain this form, he could match or even exceed the heights he reached last season, which included United’s first league hat-trick since Robin van Persie‘s 2013.
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