‘He shouldn’t be there’ – Souness identifies one player who sums up Man United’s struggles
Graeme Souness expresses his belief that Anthony Martial symbolizes a ‘decade of poor footballing decisions’ at Manchester United.
Arriving at Old Trafford in 2015 as a highly touted prospect from Monaco at the age of 19, Martial’s promising debut season saw him score 17 goals.
However, his goal tally has surpassed that mark only once, recording 23 goals in the 2019/20 campaign.
Injuries hampered his performance last season, and this term, he has managed only two goals in 18 appearances amid United’s struggles for consistency.
Souness contends that Martial’s continued presence at the club despite his scoring struggles epitomizes the club’s questionable decision-making.
Speaking on White and Jordan, Souness states, “I think you look no further than Martial for what that club is all about. They have, for a decade, made consistently poor decisions in footballing matters.”
Emphasizing the critical importance of recruitment and player evaluation, Souness points out that being part of Manchester United requires representing the club’s rich footballing history and values.
He criticizes the club’s persistence with players like Martial, stating that it reflects a series of poor decisions over the years.
Responding to a question about why manager Erik ten Hag doesn’t express similar sentiments publicly, Souness notes the modern dynamics of player-manager relationships.
He highlights the delicate balance managers must maintain to keep players onside, suggesting that openly criticizing one player can lead to fallout with multiple individuals in the dressing room.
