Scoring goals has been an issue for United for a while, really ever since Sir Alex Ferguson left every United side has been lacklustre in front of goal. Yet how can that happen? Manchester United have spent in excess of £180 million on attacking talents since Sir Alex retired yet nothing has had made any major improvements on the side. Why?
Midfield To Blame?
In order to possibly understand the issues the forwards are having, maybe we have to look elsewhere to find the solution. It’s a well-known fact that without service, strikers can’t score but is that United’s problem?
In some ways yes. While a midfield consisting of brilliant vision coming from both Carrick and Schweinsteiger, ensures that a brilliant pass that could split a defence in half is always possible. Yet still there is a distinct lack of such quality passes and maybe it all comes down to the teams style of play. An attempt to play an ambitious ball that could get a striker in behind appears to be thought of as too risky and because of this United would rather just hold possession and try to play really slowly and intricately play their way through. This simply isn’t the United way.
Key Signings Haven’t Performed
As mentioned before Manchester United have spent an obscene amount of money on supposedly world-class attacking talent. Yet really no-one has exactly cemented themselves in United folklore.
A lot was expected of British transfer record signing Angel Di Maria yet despite the hefty transfer fee, he never settled to life in Manchester and it really showed on the pitch. Despite a strong start to the season his performances dwindled rapidly, even to the point where he was being left on the bench with Ashley Young preferred to him. The same was true about Radamel Falcao, just without the lightning start.
Herrera may still be at the club, but even he hasn’t exactly nailed down a constant starting place and has been inconsistent in his performances. Only Juan Mata has really been able to claim that he has had a major impact on the side since joining the club.
A Lack Of Pace
The midfield was criticised earlier for a lack of killer balls, yet maybe it isn’t all their fault. Often with just Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata to aim for even some of the best balls can be made to look overhit simply due to the lack of pace coming from Rooney and Mata. Even when they would manage to catch up with the pass, they would often then be caught by the recovering defenders.
A Light At The End Of The Tunnel
In recent years, Manchester United have been crying out for a strong, quick centre forward. Wayne Rooney doesn’t have the pace, Van Persie was merely a shadow of what he used to be and Falcao just couldn’t cope with English football.
Yet now, courtesy of AS Monaco FC, United have found their golden man. Anthony Martial is the man with the pace needed to get on the end of the Schweinsteiger through balls, the strength to hold the defence off and the cool head to deal with life in England. He had his critics when he first joined, but he instantly silenced them. United’s attacking prospects have gone from decidedly dull to unbelievably bright.
All down to this young Frenchman. Thank You Anthony Martial.
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