12 Aug 2019 12:00:12
So what does everyone make of the shift in focus to our attack?

Last season it seemed very clear that Ole preferred to have Rashford through the middle. So much so that it pushed Lukaku out of the club. Something I don't hold against Lukaku, he played second fiddle at a top club for several years to an older better player, in the end he got tired of waiting for his chance. He moved to a club slightly lower in the pecking order to play regularly. He earned a move back to a top club. So losing his place to a YOUNGER player probably felt pretty sickening to him. He is in his prime years and he needs to be first choice.

On to what we seem to be seeing this season (albeit a small sample size so far) is Martial being moved more centrally with Rashford moving out to the left. Again with them regularly switching roles.

Personally I think that might be best especially in games where we will look to counter. Martial lack of off the ball movement might work against him when teams sit deep. Yet his movement for his goal yesterday was excellent. If he can improve that then his clinical finishing could make him into a top level striker.

Whereas, Rashford's work rate and slightly less clinical finishing might be better suited to a role on the left cutting in on to his stronger right foot.

Has Ole, a former top striker himself, seen something in Martial he thinks he can coach out of him? The giving of the No.9 shirt seems to be calculated as well.

It will be very interesting to watch as the season develops to see who out of the two spends more time playing centrally, and how they develop.


1.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 12:37:10
“Sickening” - really? Lukaku admitted came into last season overweight and his performances and work rate were abysmal. He had every reason to be dropped and play second fiddle and there was no reason to change that going into the new season.

On martial i think the reason he is playing centrally is that his hold up play and close control is very good. He can drop deep with rashford and a rw running in behind (maybe greenwood) ideally and martial can then create chances which is an underrated aspect of his game.


2.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 13:40:14
Shappy, interesting post. I think Martial is a very good striker and him and Rashford can interchange, thus making it more difficult for opposition defenders. I said from day one, that I'm not worried about our attack, i would rather have 5 players scoring 10-12 each than depending on one striker scoring a lot of goals.
Bit i don't agree with is Lukaku. When he arrived, i thought he'll be incredible for us. However, his work rate, his weight, his attitude cannot be accepred. There simply are no excuses. He acted unprofessionally in the way he looked after himself, and also, he lacked balls to train hard and prove the manager wrong. He took the easy way out and became lazier. I know it's not our money, but Lukaku and Sanchez and a few of the other time wasters at United, are stealing a living. I'm delighted OGS has given his big arse a huge boot, and i hope Sanchez, Rojo, Jones and Darmian will follow the exit route before long.
We need people dying for the cause, not mercenaries like Lukaku who think they can be 3 stones overweight and be guaranteed an automatic spot in the team. Goodbye Lukaku and good riddance, and inter are welcome to him.


3.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 15:58:46
Lukaku, the same guy who scored 32 goals for us in 2 seasons? The guy who hardly played towards the second half of the season and yet was the top scorer for us last season. Yesterday someone heralded Martial's 45 goals in 5 years as great and now 32 in 2 years is bad. Martial is a natural striker and is lethal when he decides to show up but that doesn't mean that Lukaku was bad. He simply didn't fit the system that is being attempted now. You give him a proper winger and he will get you the goals.

Another thing, what does a shirt number have to do with playing well or badly? Can he see the number on his back once he has the jersey on. A player should be committed to playing well no matter what number is displayed on his back.


4.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 16:30:29
Why do you include Darmian and Jones in that summary.


When has Jones or Darmian been unprofessional and coming back overweight and not willing to give their all, because that is not true, they are simply not good enough, nothing to do with their attitude.

You just sound silly, sorry mate, I disagree.


5.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 16:50:38
I liked the formation. I preferred it when Lingard played in CAM role.
I liked Martial and Rashford starting positions and them rotating.
I think our formation, style etc were great. Just need to keep it going and gain confidence through results.


6.) 13 Aug 2019
13 Aug 2019 00:36:23
Jb, jones, Darmian, sanchez, Rojo. These guys are injured or unfit 80% of the season. If they were your employees and you only say them 3 months a year, will you not be slightly miffed? So who is being silly here?