Only 16 passes, 28% duels won: Ten Hag needs to offload lazy £250,000 per week star
Erik ten Hag tried to take a chance against Brighton on Thursday by making two significant replacements, bringing in Fred and Anthony Martial. The experiment was a complete failure, which is an easy conclusion to draw.
For a great many seasons, the Frenchman’s story has been retold. During a few games, he makes an impression before reverting to his previous laziness and boredom.
While in preseason, the 27-year-old was able to resurrect his flagging United career and win the new manager’s confidence, but he has since let him down.
Slumber Martial
Even if he has a terrible track record, the injuries can be ignored. However, after he has kicked off a game, he doesn’t make as much of an effort to work hard and neutralize the opposition.
He may be a bit more clinical than his offensive colleagues, at least, but even that escaped him on Thursday as his lone attempt from a clear opportunity flew straight at the Brighton goalie.
In his back-to-goal play, he struggled mightily to hold off the defender and, when given the chance, he was unable to turn quickly. It was yet another forgettable performance, in general.
Martial made 35 touches on the ball, but he lost possession of it nine times. On the field for 84 minutes, he only made 16 passes.
The only other player on the bench, Wout Weghorst, must have held out some promise for the United boss, but sadly, nothing came of it.
Only twice out of the seven duels did he win, and when given the opportunity to grab a loose ball, he frequently lacked decisiveness.
ETH will require a talented striker in the summer.
His performance was summed up by his one successful dribble out of three tries.
It is completely Ten Hag’s responsibility that Weghorst and the former Monaco player are United’s only two scoring alternatives, and it is costing them dearly.
Due to his lack of effort and apparent laziness, United has to break their relationship with him this summer and replace him with a quality striker.