Anthony Martial should retain his place in the starting lineup. That is when Manchester United takes on Galatasaray in Wednesday’s Champions League group stage encounter. The Red Devils notched up their third consecutive league win on Sunday with a convincing 3-0 triumph against Everton on the road. Alejandro Garnacho set the tone by scoring the opener with a remarkable overhead kick.
Martial continued to make significant contributions in the second half. Thus, stepping up as the leader of the attack in the absence of the injured Rasmus Hojlund. The Frenchman embraced the opportunity with great effectiveness.
Martial not only won the penalty, converted by Marcus Rashford. But also found the back of the net with a goal of his own. Considering his impactful performance, we believe the 27-year-old should maintain his spot in the starting lineup for the crucial midweek match in Istanbul.
Rashford won’t be available for selection due to his sending-off against Copenhagen in the previous match. This situation could provide manager Erik ten Hag with an opportunity to experiment with the team’s formation.
Erik Ten Hag should test with Martial up front
Rather than sticking to the conventional 4-2-3-1 formation, the Dutch manager might consider opting for a double-six formation (4-2-2-2), with Martial partnering Hojlund, provided the latter is fit for the upcoming game.
Manchester United should initiate the match with an attacking approach against the Turkish champions. Hojlund and Martial, given their proficiency in hold-up and link-up play, could form a complementary partnership. Thus, potentially proving to be the ideal duo for the team.
Martial has frequently taken the place of Hojlund in games this season. When the two have shared the pitch, Martial has typically assumed a position on the left wing rather than playing alongside the Dane up front. Given his impactful contributions on Sunday, it would be intriguing to witness Ten Hag pairing him with Hojlund. The £36 million signing thrives on confidence, and backing him after an impressive display in Merseyside could be crucial.
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