{"id":536888,"date":"2019-11-20T12:54:39","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T17:54:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=536888"},"modified":"2019-11-20T12:54:39","modified_gmt":"2019-11-20T17:54:39","slug":"return-of-anthony-martial-provides-boost-for-manchester-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/11\/20\/return-of-anthony-martial-provides-boost-for-manchester-united\/","title":{"rendered":"Return of Anthony Martial Provides Boost for Manchester United"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since a damaging 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United<\/a> at the beginning of October, Manchester United<\/a> have staged a mini recovery. They have won five of their last seven matches in all competitions, with one of those two winless games being a creditable 1-1 draw with league leaders Liverpool<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There is still a long way to go for United to get to where they want to be under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer<\/a> but, after a terrible first couple of months of the season, there are finally some positives coming out of his young and experienced side. Youngsters Scott McTominay<\/a> and Daniel James<\/a> are growing with the extra responsibility, while Marcus Rashford<\/a> is finding his best form again and Aaron Wan-Bissaka<\/a> and Harry Maguire<\/a> have proven to be astute summer signings.<\/p>\n

Return of Anthony Martial<\/a> Provides Boost for Manchester United<\/h2>\n

The Key to Improvement<\/h3>\n

Yet, it is the return of Anthony Martial that is proving to be the key behind United’s improved recent form. The Frenchman has three goals and two assists in those seven matches and it is no coincidence that United’s attacking play, so lacklustre previously, has improved dramatically with his reintroduction into the side.<\/p>\n

In the 3-1 victory at Norwich City<\/a>, Martial and Rashford proved a lethal combination. Their partnership was key in the build-up to the former Monaco man’s goal as a display of pace, skill and quality in front of goal gave United fans reason to be excited again. The pair racked up 16 touches in the opposition box, ten shots, attempted eight shots on target and completed five take-ons as United scored more goals at Carrow Road than they had managed on all their previous away matches combined this season.<\/p>\n

In the 3-0 win over Partizan Belgrade, Martial showed how he can spark United’s attacking play into life with a brilliant solo goal, while the 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion<\/a> in the league saw the 23-year-old proving to be a constant threat throughout. After teeing up Andreas Pereira<\/a> for the opening goal, Martial grabbed another assist for Rashford with a calm pass following a break in behind the away side’s defence. It’s not just Martial’s goal contributions that are impressive either – no United forward is averaging more than his 4.2 dribbles per game this season.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>