THIERRY HENRY HAS questioned Louis van Gaal’s use of Anthony Martial this season, stating the youngster’s struggles in front of goal for Manchester United stem from being forced to play out of position.
Martial’s form has stuttered since he made an immediate impact in a Red Devils’ shirt, failing to score in 10 straight Premier League outings after scoring four times in his first four appearances at Old Trafford.
The 20-year-old has oft featured on the wing in that period, with his failure to get in on the goalscoring act coinciding with United’s torrid run of form, in which they have not won in six games in all competitions, losing three on the trot.
And former Arsenal-striker-turned-pundit Henry believes Van Gaal’s use of Martial is responsible for the side’s breakdown in attack and results, claiming his compatriot should instead be central to their plans.
“What are you [Martial] doing here [on the right wing]? I actually do not know what he is doing there,” Henry was recorded as saying on Sky Sports during United’s 2-1 home loss to Norwich City on Sunday.
He should be there [in the penalty area], having a one versus one, scoring and celebrating. Is it fear? Is it because they have been brainwashed a bit too much? I just don’t get it.
“They wanted a guy who scored goals. They wanted a guy to run in behind fast. He came in and did that. Suddenly now he finds himself out there, almost not touching the ball.
“I think if I had a player like that, he would be my No 9 and the rest are around him.”
Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher backed up his co-pundit, adding: “The interesting thing is that’s the instruction from Van Gaal, to stay wide.
“Let’s not forget, he is a centre forward/winger, so normally you would be expect him to make those runs inside.
But he’s had so much instruction now, that he has stayed out wide. That touch map is from a [Jesus] Navas of Mancheter City, someone who hugs the touchline, tries to beat the full back and put a cross in.
“You see how many touches he has had? Not one touch in the box, and just the one cross. So he’s not even pulling wide and doing damage.
“And that all comes from the instruction of the manager, and why Man United never look like scoring in the game.”
Defeat at the weekend left the Old Trafford outfit fifth in the Premier League and nine points behind leaders Leicester City, with pressure mounting on Van Gaal.
