{"id":1175877,"date":"2020-11-11T17:00:55","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T17:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1175877"},"modified":"2020-11-11T16:45:26","modified_gmt":"2020-11-11T16:45:26","slug":"man-utd-news-anthony-martial-stats-shots-on-target-analysis","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/man-utd-news-anthony-martial-stats-shots-on-target-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"The mystery of Anthony Martial’s missing shots on target"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anthony Martial returned to Manchester United\u2019s starting XI over the weekend against Everton and immediately demonstrated his importance to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer\u2019s system.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Frenchman had missed the previous three Premier League matches prior to the 3-1 win at Goodison Park, owing to a suspension picked up for his red card in the 6-1 defeat against Tottenham last month.<\/p>\n

During that time the Red Devils lacked a commanding presence in the final third, a conduit linking midfield to attack, with blanks fired in consecutive matches against Chelsea and notably during Arsenal\u2019s first league win at Old Trafford since 2006.<\/p>\n

However, coming up against Carlo Ancelotti\u2019s Toffees on Saturday, Man Utd looked a far more fluid unit when progressing up the pitch, with Martial\u2019s hold-up play a notable improvement upon last week\u2019s stale showing against the Gunners.<\/p>\n

But while Martial impressed with his general link up play and movement on his return to Premier League action, there remained (and remains) one glaring blot upon his domestic output for this season: a lack of goals or, at a more granular level, a lack of shots.<\/p>\n

Quite strikingly, of the 390 outfield players to have played at least one minute in the Premier League this season, 218 of them have produced at least one shot on target, and Martial is not among them.<\/p>\n

\"Martial<\/p>\n

For context, Tottenham\u2019s summer signing Carlos Vinicius has played just 12 minutes for the club and has one shot on target, while Martial’s Man Utd teammate, Edinson Cavani, has likewise produced one shot on target (and one goal). Nemanja Matic has also tested the opposition goalkeeper twice.<\/p>\n

Indeed Cavani came on to replace Martial at Goodison Park and did in 13 minutes what the Frenchman has failed to do 289: register a shot on target. That he scored to open his account for Man Utd only compounded further concern on Martial’s tally for this season.<\/p>\n

So, what exactly is going on with Martial? And should Solskjaer be concerned? It should, of course, be noted first and foremost that Martial has played just four games this season, during one of which he was on the field for only 28 minutes (against Spurs before his red card).<\/p>\n

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Anthony Martial is yet to produce a single shot on target for Manchester United in the Premier League this season. pic.twitter.com\/OB8vcwJWlf<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) November 7, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n