Nobody knows whether the Glazers are coming or going, and Jadon Sancho is currently engaged in a social media feud with Erik ten Hag over his position on the team.
Even at the best of times, that would raise a stir, let alone only hours after a heartbreaking defeat to one of your rivals, Arsenal.
The atmosphere at Old Trafford could have been very different if a few key moments had gone their way.
With two minutes of normal time remaining, Alejandro Garnacho’s dash towards the penalty area should have won them the game. Indeed, it appeared to have once he’d tucked the ball past Aaron Ramsdale.
However, the dreaded VAR ruled it out for offside before two late goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus saw the hosts win 3-1 at the Emirates.
RelatedPosts
Many on the away team were to blame on Sunday, including Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire, who were thrown to the wolves in their late cameos. However, Anthony Martial should be questioned after another poor performance in attack.
Anthony Martial has how many goals for Manchester United?
Great things were expected of the Frenchman when he first joined in the Premier League in 2015.
So much was anticipated for, in fact, that a Ballon d’Or clause was weaved into the agreement between United and Monaco over his transfer.
That, like his enormous potential, is unlikely to be realized.
At the age of 27, Martial is theoretically in his prime, but he has never appeared to be a tremendous success at the club. The fact that he was loaned to Sevilla for a brief period last year demonstrates that he is not highly regarded.
As a result, the prospect of the £250k-per-week forward playing up top at the Emirates was unappealing from the start.
In reality, his performance demonstrated why Sancho has every reason to be upset about his present exclusion from the group. Indeed, if you can’t even earn a spot in the squad over a player who has only scored 11 goals in the last two years, it’s very damning.
How did Anthony Martial do against Arsenal?
Rasmus Hojlund’s debut performance summed up the attacker’s performance perfectly.
In the 67th minute, he was substituted for Martial, giving Ten Hag’s team a better focal point. He gave Gabriel more of a run for his money than the former Monaco player did in over an hour, hustling and bustling his way to the finish of every ball.
Despite completing all 11 passes, the fact that the France international only had 18 touches – one every six minutes – said it all.
That was less times than both goalkeepers, Aaron Ramsdale (28) and Andre Onana (56), who both had more passes.
Martial certainly cut a lonely figure, taking only one shot and winning only two of his five duels.
Both Gabriel and William Saliba battered and injured him, and it was an afternoon to forget for a player who had once promised so much.
He was the Hojlund-like figure on whom United set their expectations, but it would not be surprising if the Norwegian quickly leapfrogged him in the pecking order.
Based on his cameo on Sunday, in which he looked to run the channels and spin in behind, Martial may find himself on the bench once the international break is over.
