Anthony Martial must improve his body language and aggressiveness in order to be considered first choice at Manchester United next season, believes an ex-Reds striker.
MEN Sport understands that Erik ten Hag is looking for a striker in the summer in order to fill the gap left by Cristiano Ronaldo in November. Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is the Reds' top target but Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund, Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani and Napoli's Victor Osimhen are all being considered too.
Currently, Ten Hag's options are thin on the ground up front. With Marcus Rashford out injured, Martial and Wout Weghorst are the only recognised centre forwards in the squad.
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While Weghorst is expected to return to Burnley at the end of his loan spell, the Manchester Evening News understands that Ten Hag wants Martial to remain at the club next year. In an exclusive interview with MEN Sport, former Reds man Louis Saha explained what his fellow countryman must do to keep his place next season.
"When you look at Martial, you become frustrated because the guy has it all," said Saha. "Technically he’s strong, in the air, but maybe physically there’s something stopping him running as hard and long as he should.
"But the guy has the quality to suit Man United’s style. People talk about his body language, or the aggressiveness he sometimes lacks but it’s frustration, if you understand those two aspects that he’s missing.
"He’s unplayable at his best, he is one of the players who has a great link with Rashford, and other wingers like [Jadon] Sancho and Antony. But it seems like it’s only that piece of his game that he’s missing to be the number nine Man United are looking for."
Saha admitted he sees a bit of himself in Martial. The striker made 124 appearances for the Reds, scoring 42 goals but left Old Trafford for Everton on a free transfer in 2008.
"There are definitely players in Europe looking at that spot because it’s a great honour to have the responsibility," he added. "But you need to play many games, and I left the club because of that.
"I felt like I could fulfil that role but my body let me down. Maybe not in the same bracket as Martial [however] he has all the quality but maybe his body lets him down.
"Some people have this perception of his attitude and commitment, and I can understand it. But we’re all different players.
"The reason Sir Alex Ferguson let me go was because of my fitness. I wasn’t guaranteeing the club enough games so I understand why he’s (Martial) is under pressure."
Saha was speaking to the MEN as part of a partnership with DAZN.
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