A quick glance of Anthony Martial's appearance tally for Manchester United so far this season creates a sorry-looking picture.
By contrast, his goals and assists tally makes a very encouraging one. Therefore, it could have been considered somewhat typical that the Frenchman, on his longest outing in the Premier League so far this season, amounting to 72 minutes, failed to score or register an assist for only the second time this season.
After getting the nod to start and score in Thursday night's 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford, Martial was always going to be in the frame to start Sunday's 2-1 win on the banks of the Thames against Fulham, regardless of Cristiano Ronaldo's availability. The former AS Monaco man has the full backing of manager Erik ten Hag and has threatened to turn his United career around so far this season, albeit in limited flashes.
READ MORE: Alejandro Garnacho got the reaction from Casemiro that summed up Fulham win
Prior to Sunday's dramatic win over the Cottagers, which was sealed by Alejandro Garnacho's 93rd-minute heroics, Martial had played just four times in the league this season, starting only once. It was only against Villa in the 3-1 defeat at Villa Park earlier this month that he failed to score or claim an assist.
He set up Marcus Rashford for United's second against Liverpool in August, scored twice in the derby defeat at Manchester City and teed up Antony for the Reds' equaliser at Everton a week later. His influence on proceedings, despite limited opportunities because of endless injury issues, has never once been questioned.
During pre-season in Thailand and Australia, shoots of recovery were beginning to show in Martial's Old Trafford career. He had flopped on loan at Sevilla last season and returned to M16 with his career at a vitally important juncture.
Ten Hag, perhaps helped by Ronaldo's absence on the pre-season tour, took Martial under his wing and offered him hope of a recovery. He flourished in pre-season and would have started the season opener against Brighton & Hove Albion had he not suffered a hamstring injury in the days leading up to the curtain raiser.
He has been in and out of the treatment room since, suffering from both Achilles and back injuries, robbing him of the chance to lay down a marker in this new-look United team. Ten Hag, though, has often reiterated how big a fan he is of Martial's qualities, meaning there has always been a general feeling that he considers him as his first choice No.9, such is the way that he wants United to play.
Although his main responsibility as a striker is to score goals, something he has not done for United on a prolific basis since the Covid-hit 2019/20 campaign, Martial's game is about so much more. Against Fulham, although Casemiro's well-timed tackle was the catalyst for Christian Eriksen's opener, it was Martial's ability to drive forward with the ball that created the opportunity for Bruno Fernandes to put the ball on a plate for the Dane.
Martial showed strength and desire to hold onto the ball, drive United forward and create a promising attack. His ability to receive the ball with his back to goal and turn was also impressive. His desire to hold onto the ball and bring others into play, too, was also eye-catching.
His passing play was also top-notch, recording an impressive 85.7 per cent passing accuracy. Everything about his performance, though it lacked a goal or an assist, proved exactly why Ten Hag has been singing his praises throughout his absences this season.
What's more, Martial proved Ten Hag's assessment about him absolutely spot on. Following the cup win over Villa, the United manager outlined how the Frenchman brings such a wide range of qualities to the forward-line.
"It's quite clear in my way of playing, I like the type that Martial is," Ten Hag said. "Anthony can hold the ball, he's a target, he can link up, he can also run in behind, he has speed, he can finish and he's a good presser."
It is obvious that Martial ticks so many boxes for Ten Hag, hence why he has stuck with him despite his injury troubles. If he can build-up his fitness during the World Cup break and avoid any further injury problems, he could be like a new signing for Ten Hag to enjoy at Old Trafford.
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