Erik ten Hag appears to have entrusted Anthony Martial to lead the line for Manchester United this season - and it has certainly divided opinion.
The Frenchman enjoyed a stellar pre-season during which he netted goals against multiple Premier League sides - including United's fierce rivals Liverpool. As a result, Ten Hag is preparing to reward Martial by giving him the opportunity to prove he is still useful for the Red Devils.
Unfortunately for the former Monaco man, he sustained an injury on the eve of the season's start and was subsequently ruled out of the Red Devils' opening game at home to Brighton.
In his first competitive game at the helm, Ten Hag saw his United side succumb to a 2-1 defeat by the Seagulls at Old Trafford. The hosts started the game without a recognised striker due to Martial's thigh strain and Cristiano Ronaldo failing to make the starting line-up.
Martial spent the latter half of last season on loan in La Liga with Sevilla, but only managed one goal in 12 outings. That being said, it is undeniable his presence would have helped United on Sunday against Graham Potter's troops.
The fact the 26-year-old is in line to make a return to the United first-team is a damning indictment of how far the club has fallen - at least, according to Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness.
"In United's case, they've not really recruited any game changers," the Scotsman told talkSPORT. "When you are talking about 'we are going to miss Martial', how many opportunities is that young man going to get to be a Manchester United player?
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"He's proven already to me he's not for Man United. He can't deal with the pressure of playing at Man United. Man United are one of the biggest clubs in the world."
Souness went on to compare Martial with former divisive United talent Paul Pogba, who left the club this summer on a free transfer to return to Juventus. He added: "It's a bit like Pogba, I see both of them and I see players in them and qualities that few players possess.
"But it's on their terms and they pick and choose when they use it. When you play for a big club you cannot be like that. When you are at a big club you play in a cup final every week.
"You're at a big club because you want to win things and want to be challenging all the time. In basic terms, they are dodgy. They are not people you can rely on, end of. I don't think you can rely on Martial any more, not that you ever could. He's been far too hit or miss."
Souness's views on Martial are crystal clear, but they are also directly opposing those of United co-owner Joel Glazer, who is a huge fan of the forward.
The American business titan is such a keen admirer of Martial that he actually blocked his departure while Jose Mourinho was in charge of the club. United wanted to sign then-Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic and viewed selling Martial as a perfect way to raise the required funds.
However, Glazer had other ideas and as a result, Martial and Rakitic stayed put. With Ten Hag in line to hand Martial further opportunities, United's owner must be one of the few supporters of that decision looking forward to this season.
