Adrian Durham has questioned whether Anthony Martial has what it takes to be the “real deal” for Manchester United.
The 23-year-old has hit two goals in his first three Premier League matches of the new season, but the talkSPORT host has suggested that he is still unsure as to whether the forward can keep up that form over the course of a campaign.
Speaking on the station, he said: “Is anybody convinced that Anthony Martial is really going to be the real deal? That he’s going to come good, and consistently do it over the course of a season?
“Are there people actually listening to this thinking ‘yes he is, he’s already proved it’?
“Are we at all convinced by that?”
"Anthony Martial has still got loads to offer."
"That #MUFC front 3 of James, Martial and Rashford can do things." ?
"Martial is going to be a big part of that."@MrJamieOHara1 says that the #MUFC forward has a big future at Old Trafford ? pic.twitter.com/AOk1tBhesc
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 12, 2019
Is Durham right about Martial?
There is no questioning that Martial is a talent.
The Frenchman has the potential to turn games on their head, and he has done just that on several occasions, during his spell at Old Trafford.
It’s easy to forget that he is still only 23, and while he may not fall into the category of starlet anymore, he still has plenty of time to grow and develop.
So far this term, aside from his two goals, Martial has also provided one assist, as well as 2.7 shots on goals per game, and three successful dribbles, as per Whoscored. His pass completion rate is also a healthy 83.6%.
All of those figures illustrate a player who is on top of his game and thriving.
But Durham has taken issue with his consistency, so let’s examine that in a little more detail.
Comparing Martial’s three games from this season to the 27 appearances – including 18 starts – that the forward made in the Premier League last term, it’s arguable that Durham has a point.
Martial averaged 1.4 shots and 1.2 successful dribbles per game last time around, as per Whoscored, while his passing was less than 80%.
In fact, the only offensive area in which Martial fared better over the course of the campaign was his rate of key passes, standing at 1.3 compared to just 0.7 this season.
What is more, the Frenchman hasn’t hit more than 11 goals in any of his Premier League campaigns, and that total came in his first season in England, back in 2015/16.
Perhaps Durham has a point then, but with two goals already this season, there is no saying that this isn’t the year when Marital properly arrives as an elite talent.
He has the ability, he just needs the consistency.