Anthony Martial – Bbc-football.com

Euro 2016 kicks off today

Euro 2016 No Responses »

Jun 102016

The Euro 2016 kicks off today at the Stade de France, Saint Denis, France. The host nation France meet Romania in the opening game of the tournament, with 51 matches to take place over the next month to crown Europe’s champion. Didier Deschamps’ side are among the favorites and with talented attackers such as Anthony Martial, Antoine Griezmann, Dimitri Payet and Paul Pogba running the show in midfield, why can’t they go all the way? Romania will plan to be the party poopers but anything other than a convincing home win would be a shock. But isn’t that what football is all about. We are expecting a grand opening ceremony for the competition today. There are other teams who would pose a threat to France lifting the trophy. World champions, Germany have a stand as well as Roy Hodgson’s England team which is made up of a lot of youngsters most notably Manchester United’s break out star, Marcus Rashford.

Else where in the world of football, the COPA america continues with Chile VS. Bolivia and later we would have Argentina VS Panama in Illinois, Chicago. Argentina is expected to progress with a win tonight.

Manchester United Crash Out at Old Trafford

Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United No Responses »

Oct 282015

Manchester United were the next big team in England to be eliminated from the league cup after their game against second division Middlesbrough ended in a goalless draw. Louis van Gaal’s men were left to rue missed chances in the game were they should have scored and won the game. After ending up in a draw, the game proceeded to a penalty shoot out as is customary in the competition. Sensational signing Anthony Martial and Maroune Fellaini had the chance to win the game for red devils in the extra time of the game but we’re not able to convert their chances to goals for the team.

It’s seemed like Middlesbrough had United in their web as they were very clinical in the shoot out. United captain and fellow England team mates Ashley Young and Michael Carrick failed all failed to convert from the penalty spot. While Manchester United were having a bad night out, city rivals Manchester City who have not had any scarce supply of goals so far this season were at it again in a six goals thriller that saw them win 5-1. Liverpool also won their game, holding onto a first half goal from Nathaniel Clyne. Brazilian summer signing Roberto Firminho put up a stunning performance for the reds and his coach was full of praise for the midfielder during the post match conference.

Missfiring Rooney under the spotlight as derby ends in stalemate

Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier league No Responses »

Oct 262015

Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney has come under the spotlight again as the team drew at home to city on Sunday. Rooney has been picked out by the fans and media for his failing performances this season. he has failed to consistently find the net even when presented with such opportunities. Against former team Everton last weekend it took three one-on-one chances before the striker could convert, giving him a conversion rate of 33% and that’s very low for a player like Rooney. United manager, Louis van Gaal has always backed the player stating that he believes the striker would hit form soon enough but the case was different after the derby yesterday. when asked about Rooney’s performances on the pitch, the manager said he was tired of answering questions concerning the English captain.

While Rooney has been finding it difficult to find the net, the exact opposite could be said about 19 year old summer spending Anthony Martial. Even though the player has been subjected to supporting roles for United so far he has never failed to deliver and that showed against city yesterday. It could be said that Martial is the only Manchester United player that was a constant threat in the match. City on the other hand had their own fault as their most creative player on the pitch was made to attack from the wing.

Considering Rooney’s performance, it is only fair that Anthony Martial be given a chance at the striking role because of his high conversion rates as we have seen. It is still unknown whether that is an option the dutch coach would be willing to accept but United’s inability to finish off games would go a long way in affecting their title campaign if not handled earl enough.

UEFA Champions League Round-Up

Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Champions league, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier league, Real Madrid, West Ham No Responses »

Oct 222015

The European Champions League was back in action with a lot of expectations from fans around the world. With lots of Europe’s elite teams going head to head it was sure to be an eye catching encounter in the match day 3 of the competition.

Barcelona were away against BATE club and it required the magic of croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic to break the deadlock for the team. He was in terrific form scoring two goals as they ran out winners in the game that ended 2-0. Bayern Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno was to blame as the team drew 4-4. Arsenal hosted Bayern Munich at the Emirates stadium and although they did go into the match as the underdogs they came on top with goals from Oliver Giroud and Mesut Ozil. Elsewhere in group F Olympiakos got a goal over Dinamo Zagreb which meant Arsene Wenger’s team remain bottom of the table.

After a 2-0 win over West Ham this weekend, Chelsea couldn’t muster much against Dynamo Kiev in Sweden and they shared the spoils in a goalless draw. Hulk continued his scintillating form for Zenit as they trashed Olympique Lyon 3-1, this means the Russian team has now won all three of their Champions League matches. PSG stars were below par against a weak Madrid team with the later having the better chances of the game though they couldn’t covert it to goals. Anthony Martial scored his first Champions League goal sparing the blushes for team captain Wayne Rooney who had missed a couple of chances to put the team ahead. The young french striker made up for his errors that gave CSKA Moscow the lead after conceding a penalty with a hand ball. Athletico Madrid were the highest winners beating Astana 4-0 while Manchester City got a 2-1 victory over Sevilla. This match day made a change to the fact that the big teams smash their way past through the group stages, now they have to work to earn it.

Anthony Martial scoops player of the month award

Everton, Manchester United, Premier league, Southampton No Responses »

Oct 162015

Anthony Martial made player of the month

New Manchester United signing, Anthony Martial has been named as the Barclays player of the month for September. The French striker joined United from Monaco for a staggering £36 million but has since proven himself to be the real deal for United. On his debut for the club, Anthony Martial came off the bench and scored a wonderful goal at the strentford end against arch rivals Liverpool and since then he has continued his good form for the club. He also scored a brace against South Hampton overturning the deficit for the club before fellow United player Juan Mata rounded off the scoring in that match. The young striker beat fellow united team mate Daley Blind, Hugo Lloris and a host of other players to the award

Martial deserves this award following his stellar performance which he has further extended to country football. He always looked likely to score whenever he was on the ball in France’s euro qualification match against Denmark during the midweek. Martial was virtually unknown before his big money move to old trafford. The United board were even criticised by the media for spending such an amount for a player who was bring nothing but potential to the team but the french player quickly proved that he was worth every penny with his two performances.

Although Martial did win the Barclays player of the month, Juan Matt was the one who was voted by United fans for the club’s player of the month. He returns to action tomorrow as United travel to goodisoon park to face Everton.

Manchester united prove they are champions league contenders

Champions league, Manchester United, Wolfsburg 1 Response »

Oct 012015

Manchester United sent out word to those who have doubted their abilities as they came from behind to seal all three points on Wednesday night against Wolfsburg. Having lost their first match, the red devils were really looking forward to recovering from their loss. They lost most than three points against PSV because it they also lost England player Luke Shaw to injury. The news of Shaw’s injury over shadowed their loss to PSV Eindhoven. They succeeded in getting back to winning ways in the Champions League in front of their home fans as goals from Juan Mata and Chris Smalling cancelled out Daniel Caliguiri’s early opener at Old Trafford. The win means that all four teams in the group have shared the spoil equally so far with each team sitting on three points.

United came into the match with a lot of high hopes given that were now topping the Premier League table. Summer signing Anthony Martial also continued with his good form although he was unlucky not to have registered a goal in the match. All through the 90 minutes, he looked like he was going to pop a goal every time he was in possession. After equalizing through a spot kick by Juan Mata, United went on to take the through a sublime pass from Mata which Chris Smalling popped home from close range. Wolfsburg searched for a desperate equalizer after wards as the laid siege on De Gea post but the home team held on to their win till the end.

Arsene Wenger: I thought Anthony Martial was a winger

Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Premier league No Responses »

Sep 252015

On the last day of the transfer market, we saw Manchester United roll out a massive 36 million pounds to sign a certain young Monaco striker who has been dubbed to be the next Thierry Henry. A lot was said about why United was willing to shell out such an amount for potential and not experience but I guess we have all seen why on the pitch. Anthony Martial just arrived United and already has four goals to his name. His composure in front of goal just shows how good a marksman he is.

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger has now claimed that he has known and followed Martial since he was a child but decided not to sign him because he thought he was a winger. Questions about his preferred role are behind everyone as Old Trafford has already recognized him as one of their goal heroes. The 19 years old agent, Philippe Lamboley has said that he doesn’t think Wenger comments is justifiable for a coach who has watched the player closely, adding that in football, there are people who just follow players and people who sign them.

This is not the first time Wenger is missing out on a Manchester United player, he also missed out on the opportunity to sign Angel Di Maria for free when the Argentine was just 17 years old. He also missed on great players such as Xabi Alonso, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Lionel Messi and even former United player, Cristiano Ronaldo. Whether Anthony Martial would become one of the great players Wenger nearly signed is still unknown but I guess we would have an answer to that statement at the end of the season.

Brazilian star says United offered him a contract

AC Milan, Manchester United, Sao Paulo, Tottenham No Responses »

Sep 252015

Brazilian striker, Alexandre Pato has claimed that Manchester United tried to sign him on the deadline of the transfer market. According to the striker who is currently playing for Brazilian club Sao Paulo, Manchester United made attempts to sign him to bring him over to Old Trafford but he wasn’t aware of the deal as at the time. Tottenham was the only premier league club that was linked with the player all through the transfer market but this revelation also means united were weighing their chances of landing the former AC Milan star. Alexandre Pato has not ruled out the possibility of a move away from the Brazilian club but says he is focused on the game for now while also thinking about his future and talking about it with his family and friends.

It would be recalled that during the transfer window, United sold about three of their strikers and were on the search for a desperate replacement before they landed young Anthony Martial from Monaco. Although critics say he was overpriced but the youngster is beginning to prove them wrong with four goals in four games for united already. United also tried to sign out of favor Barcelona winger Pedro but the Spaniard later ended up penning a deal with Chelsea. He claimed that his switched from United to Chelsea was due to the fact that Manchester United was acting sluggish with the deal and he wanted to start the new season with a new club.

Alexandre Pato currently has a deal with Brazilian side Sao Paulo till December 2016, so any club willing to sign him the nearest future would have to pay off his current deal.

Martial and De Gea prove their worth in thrilling encounter.

Manchester United, Premier league, Southampton No Responses »

Sep 212015

At the closing stages of the summer transfer market, Manchester United struggled to keep hold of the star player David De Gea while also spending big on the arrival of Anthony Martial from Monaco to conclude the transfer season for them. The two are already showing why the club was desperate to have them within their ranks. Their 3-2 victory over Southhampton away from home on Sunday was the perfect stage for the two players as Martial produced two wonderful goals to overturn the deficit for the team while De Gea at the other end of the pitch proved to be a solid rock between the sticks. A lot was said about the huge amount spent on young Anthony Martial who only had potential but no solid experience but with performances like the one he had against Southhampton, the critics might be wrong about this one.

Southhampton took the lead just 13 minutes into the game when Mane forced a brilliant save from De Gea with a powerful shot only for Graziano Pellè to tap onto the rebound and give the host the lead. They continued to press United in a bid to double their lead but De Gea kept on coming through for his team. Martial got the equalizer for the visitors in the 34th minute as he latched onto a loose ball and kept his composure to slot home inside the box. United almost took the lead minutes later from a quick corner by Depay but Schneiderlin could only guide his efforts past the post. Martial was the man again as he slid the ball pass Stekelenburg following a poor back pass from Yoshida to make it 2-1. Mata then made it 3-1 in the 68th minute which sealed all three points for the host. Pelle did get another goal four minutes from time which gave the host a glimpse of hope but De Gea continued his heroics to keep the visitors lead intact. The victory sees United move to second place on the table just below City rivals.