Van Gaal: Goals Will Come For Martial

Louis van Gaal is "convinced" Anthony Martial will soon be back among the goals, but the Manchester United manager has warned supporters not to expect too much from the young Frenchman throughout his debut season at Old Trafford.

Signed from Monaco on transfer deadline day in the summer, Martial made a sensational start to his Reds career by scoring a debut goal against the club's old rivals Liverpool. He then netted twice at Southampton two games later and notched a fourth goal in as many matches against Ipswich Town.

Since then, however, the 20-year-old France international has only converted once in 13 outings - the important headed equaliser in the Champions League draw at CSKA Moscow in October.

Martial’s unquestionable potential remains clear to see and his attacking prowess will be required on Tuesday when United face Wolfsburg, knowing that only a victory would guarantee progress to the knockout stages of Europe’s top competition. Speaking on the eve of that encounter, van Gaal explained to reporters at his pre-match press conference why he is not worried about his no.9.

“I think he is very talented but we have to say also he is just 20 years old,” said the manager at the Volkswagen Arena. “We have to give him time and that’s always difficult when you are playing for a team like Manchester United because the expectations are very high, but I’m very convinced that he shall continue with his performances and also that he shall score at the right moment again.

“But you cannot expect that a 20-year-old player, who is coming through his first year in the Premier League, shall score every week. I didn’t expect that when he came [in the summer]. He was accelerating in the start of his campaign at Manchester United, I know that but I have to explain it to everybody - he doesn’t need that pressure to score in every match.”

United’s troubles in front of goal in recent weeks were emphasised by Saturday’s 0-0 draw against West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday, which was the fifth goalless draw in nine matches across all competitions. With that in mind, van Gaal was asked how he can convince fans the goals will come.

“You never know that for sure but I have the experience as a manager that the goals shall come,” he told the media. “When you are creating chances, you will score and finish those kinds of chances. That’s why I have that belief it’s a matter of time and I hope that we can prove it tomorrow.”