Summer signing Anthony Martial has already become a fan favourite after being one of the top scorers in the league.
His goals have a specific been a major reason behind United being just two points short of Manchester City, who lead the table. He is yet to break his duck in the Champions League. This brought in the European competition stretches back to his former club Monaco, but Martial has been much more prolific in the domestic league. He has already scored three goals in just four starts. His debut goal came against archrivals Liverpool and it was one of the reasons behind the 19-year-old becoming a fan favourite already.
Up until now, Van Gaal has been rigid about the position Martial plays but his latest comments appeared to hint at more flexibility in the forthcoming games. The Frenchman is used to playing out wide. He is known as the new Thierry Henry for the way he plays from the left and comes inside to get goals. At United, though, he has been more of a central striker with Wayne Rooney being forced to the sides. The poor form of Rooney may be one of the reasons behind this switch and Van Gaal hints that the team may see Martial in up to four positions going forward.
“He can play, in my opinion, four positions.He can play at seven – as a right-winger, 11 – the left winger, the striker’s position and also at 10, I believe. But he has played in Monaco always in the left winger position and that is why I put him there against Everton.It was also because of [Seamus] Coleman. I think he is a very good right full-back so we could take benefit of Martial’s qualities against him,” said Van Gaal. Martial will look to end his drought against CSKA Moscow.