Martial Over Rooney

Wayne Rooney or Anthony Martial? Who should be leading the line for Manchester United?

It's a question that keeps on cropping up, particularly in the wake of United's recent insipid performances in front goal coinciding with the Frenchman's deployment on the left flank.

"We didn't give Martial an inch," proclaimed Alan Pardew after Crystal Palace held Louis van Gaal's side to a third consecutive goalless draw for the first time since January 2005.

And who can argue with the Palace manager's strategy? Isolated out wide in favour of playing Rooney through the middle, United's top scorer in the league this season was limited to just a single attempt on goal, an 88th-minute effort which was well blocked by Damien Delaney.

We caught up with Sky Sports Now guests Tony Cascarino and Neil McCann, who were both unanimous in their support of playing Martial as United's out-and-out striker.

"Why is Martial not playing down the middle?" Cascarino said. "Rooney is so good at the 10 role - he loves to spread the play.

"I know Rooney can function in this team but they're playing two holding midfielders, which nullifies a lot of what they're doing. He must be suffering; he's having a dreadful time in front of goal.

"There is a Man Utd way and it's not what we're seeing at the moment. You see Rooney go clear and you'd rather have Jamie Vardy there at the moment."

United have not gone four games without a goal in all competitions since November 1992 and head into Tuesday's Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow looking to avoid that unwanted 23-year record.

And McCann believes the time has come for Rooney to vacate his leading striker's role at Old Trafford if United are to mount a sustained push for silverware this season.

He said: "I know Louis van Gaal likes this system but I don't think Wayne Rooney can continue to play through the middle.

"The guy has been world class but I just don't think he's got the pace he had when he was a young boy in terms of going in behind and turning defenders.

"Martial should be playing there, Rooney should be off him. I don't think Martial looks as if he's enjoying himself on the left-hand side and it's not as if they're scoring the goals.

"There's a severe lack of creativity. They need to come up with something different because it's not working. I can't see them being a [title] challenger if they don't get that right."

Credit: Skysports.com