Martial could be one of best players in league, says Matic
Frenchman does not ‘understand’ his ability Confidence key, claims his United team-mate
Nemanja Matic believes that Anthony Martial needs to be more confident and to realise that he is a “great player”.
The Manchester United midfielder said his team-mate had the ability to be one of the best players in the Premier League.
“Anthony is a great player and he needs to understand that,” Matic said after Martial’s match-winning performance against Everton on Sunday, in which he scored a brilliant goal and earned the penalty from which Paul Pogba scored on the rebound.
“He needs more confidence. He is still young and I think, if he continues to score in the next game, he will get that,” Matic said.
“If he reaches his top level, he can be one of the best players in the league, for sure. Sometimes I don’t think he understands how good he is.
“Sometimes he is quick, he is good with the ball, he can run. He has everything that a Manchester United football player needs. Sometimes I don’t think he understands that.
“If I had his ability with the ball, and I was as quick as him, then I wouldn’t pass to anyone and I would score every game! To be serious, he does need more confidence and this comes with results.”
Martial is just 22 and joined United from Monaco in 2015 for an initial fee of £36 million, which could rise to just over £60million with add-ons.
Martial has endured a difficult relationship with United manager Jose Mourinho, who revealed that the forward was the only player he had fined while at the club.
Martial left United’s pre-season tour of the United States early to attend the birth of his son, Swan, in Paris, but then did not train for eight days. That came amid a backdrop of tension with Mourinho, during which time Martial indicated he wanted to leave United.
The manager was keen for him to go but the club have been determined to keep Martial and to tie him down to a new contract, believing he has the potential to be one of the world’s best players.
His deal runs out next year but United have an option to extend it until the end of June 2020. They hope to announce a new contract before the end of this campaign and there are indications that Martial is prepared to sign.
Mourinho’s relationship with Martial appears to have improved, as has the player’s form. He has been United’s best attacker, with five goals in all competitions, making him joint top scorer with Pogba.