Anthony Martial is yet to truly convince some at Manchester United, but Troy Deeney thinks his fellow striker is “sick”.
The Frenchman arrived for a mammoth fee in 2015 but hasn’t yet made the centre forward position, or any position for that matter, his own.
Marcus Rashford looks to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first pick in attack, but Deeney is a big admirer of Martial.
The 24-year-old has scored 64 times for United with his most prolific season coming in his debut year.
And Deeney believes he is the victim of “fickle fans” who praise and criticise Martial in equal measure.
(Image: PA)
“How can you not like Martial? He’s so sick,” Deeney told United We Stand.
“He scored against us, everybody said he was unbelievable. He could play the same game against Burnley and not score and he’s ‘lazy’. That’s how fickle fans are.
“He could play really bad, have real bad touches, score two, you win 2-0, [and people say] Martial’s unbelievable today. They’re not looking at the footballing context. If you’re looking at it from a purely football context – why’s he going to chase a right-back down?
“He’s not going to do that. I’m not going to lie, it’s how I made a living!”
(Image: PETER POWELL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
Martial was on course to register his most productive campaign in front of goal before the coronavirus pandemic postponed football.
Solskjaer convinced the striker to sign a new deal at the club last summer which suggests he is part of his long-term plans.
But Deeney insists Martial will not be helped by indecision over where he plays.
“I still think they need to figure out Martial – is he playing on the left or as a striker?” he added.
United are set to make a big money move for Jadon Sancho which could yet have a knock on affect for the Frenchman.
