There has been a lot of negative talk about Martial recently, as he has put in multiple below par performances, however, the tactics implemented and personnel on the pitch are making it difficult for the Frenchman to succeed.

Man Utd’s Tactics

The Red Devils have had trouble with their attacking tactics throughout the season, with the midfielders and fullbacks not offering the front 3 much support in the final third. With Martial dropping in as a false 9, he needs multiple runners in behind or to link up with to have an impact. Martial’s goal VS Norwich in the 3-1 win shows how well Martial can play in the role, when given runners, but also shows how United are poor in the final third.

As Martial picked the ball up, the direct run from Rashford was crucial so that it would create space from Martial to come forward with the ball, as the CBs could not completely focus on Martial, and when the CB makes the decision to come forward, it opens up the space for Martial to play the ball into Rashford.

Rashford then has made his run inside which has dragged the Norwich RB inside. Martial acknowledged this space and then ran into it and received a pass back from Rashford which resulted in a goal. Although this worked in this attack, the player who should have been occupying the wide left area is Young who is WAY too deep in this situation and should be overlapping on the left side. This goal shows that Martial can be successful through the middle as a False 9, but the fact that Rashford was his only possible option going forward shows the limitation he faces in that position, as in reality he was doing 2 players jobs in the build up to this goal.

In games it seems like although Martial is set up as a false 9, the other players around him are not tactically set up to benefit the style of a false 9. In this attack VS Wolves there are multiple problems. James’ positioning is way too deep and should be closer to Martial, which would drag the RB inside and allow Shaw space to attack the left side. Utilising a 4231 is questionable as well, it can work with the correct 10, however in this image, Mata is only occupying space that Martial could be in, and is not the player to make a run past the forward, which is what Martial needs to create space. Looking at the right side, Bruno is somewhat occupying it as Mata has drifted inside, but really, no one is there. If the ball was to be played through the lines to Martial here, he NEEDS to have runners in behind and without Rashford no one is offering him that at the moment.

Man Utd’s Personnel

The clear personnel negative is the injury of Marcus Rashford, with it looking like he will be out for the remainder of the season. Martial has only scored in 1 in 6 games since Rashford’s injury. This is not only because the 2 have a great connection on the pitch but due to the fact Rashford is the only player at United right now capable of playing the inside forward role with great effect. Where as James does not have the power or link up play to be able to play it to effect (as well as his rock bottom confidence at the moment). Martial has struggled to link up with the midfield with Pogba injured. The lack of attacking options in midfield can be okay, only if the fullbacks offer more going forward, this is why utilising Dalot for the reminder of the season should be important to United. The introduction of Williams on the left has shown what an attacking option from fullback can do, but he can not be relied on to be the only wide option. However, the difficulties for Wan Bissaka going forward are large due to the lack of a RW in the side.

The signing of Bruno Fernandes should help Martial. Although he is known for his long range shooting Bruno will make the 3rd man runs in behind the defense, which will give Martial an extra forward option with the ball at his feet. But also many times this season Martial has been isolated with the team unable to progress the ball forward, and this has led to Martial drifting deeper to try and progress the ball. Last season, Fernandes had 8.2 deep progressions per 90, bringing this to United should mean Martial will not have to drop in to help ball progression, and can stay in position to pick the ball up in more dangerous areas.

Conclusion

Yes Martial should still be performing at a higher level than he is at the moment, but he still has 12 goals and 5 assists in all competitions so far this season and has done this in a dysfunctional United side.

With the loan signing of Ighalo, it is likely Martial will finish the season playing on the left side, he should be able to have more of an impact here, as he will not need to rely on others as much here and it is his most natural position. With Pogba soon back, the left side could look threatening for the rest of the season, as the Frenchmen have a great connection. Although, once Rashford is back, Martial should return to a false 9 position, but United need to ensure their tactics are to benefit a false 9, they should look for a RW that will suit the inside forward role (such as Chukwueze), as well as deciding Dalot’s future, as he could be a beneficial part of a system including a false 9.

It is clear that Martial can be a success as a False 9, but United need to decide what they want to do and stick with it, as a false 9 NEEDS a solid system to flourish. It seems like it is clear to continue with the False 9 for United as it clearly brings the best out of Marcus Rashford, but the system and tactical side need lots of work.