Glimpse Into United Future?

After Marcus Rashford's vibrant display against Chelsea, and now Anthony Martial's all-action showing at Burnley, Pete Hall wonders if we have been given a glimpse into Manchester United's attacking future.

His name adorned some of the players' training shirts pre-match in a bizarre tribute, but against a Burnley side who had taken more points at home than United this season, and boasted the best home defensive record outside the top seven, it remained to be seen if Zlatan Ibrahimovic's absence would see United struggle for goals at Turf Moor.

Ibrahimovic had netted over 36 per cent of United's league goals this season, and with the next highest scorer, Juan Mata, out injured, Jose Mourinho put his faith in a player he has been openly critical of this week.

"We are together for almost 10 months," Mourinho said in midweek. "The same way I know the players much better now, the players should know me much better."

"Do I think Anthony [Martial] is a player with great potential? Yes, I think. Do I think he can play successfully for me? Yes I think. But he needs to give me things that I like."

There has never been any doubting Martial's talent, but his work ethic and goal contribution have not been up to Mourinho's required standard this season, and this felt one of his final few chances to really make an impression on the Portuguese. In the Lancashire sunshine, the France international gave his manager plenty to ponder with a scintillating display.

Just as Rashford had done to Chelsea last weekend, Martial got the Burnley defence turning right from the off, and when he breaks into full stride, he is mightily difficult to dispossess. His rampaging run and finish, using Ander Herrera as the conduit, for the opener at Turf Moor set the tone for an impressive all-round performance than was an emphatic a response to Mourinho's challenge.

"If he wants to become a very special player - he can do that - then he has to go in a certain direction and today he showed this attitude and appetite," Mourinho said post match. "We are happy because we have a new player until the end of the season."

The 21-year-old made 11 more sprints than anyone else on the pitch, and he didn't even complete 90 minutes. Nobody clocked up a faster top speed as Martial glided past defenders at will, a sight reminiscent of that debut goal against Liverpool back in September. Along with Rashford's dynamism, is this what United's future under Mourinho looks like?

"In that goal [opener against Burnley], and the Rashford goal last week, there is maybe a glimpse of the future," Sky Sports' Gary Neville said in his match commentary. "United have players that can run and challenge that space in behind. It is something United have always had."

It would be churlish to be in any way disparaging to Ibrahimovic's efforts in his Premier League debut season. The 35-year-old's goal return is nothing short of remarkable, but in the last two games without the veteran hitman, United have looked more lively, much more of a threat on the counter, and as reminiscent of the United of old as we have seen this season.

This wouldn't be the first time a prolific goalscorer has possibly held the team back. When Sir Alex Ferguson sold Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2006, the move was met with consternation among fans. How could a man with such a record be allowed to leave?

However, Ferguson let the Dutchman depart to get the best out of young, more vibrant options further back. Spearheaded by that added freedom afforded to Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, United went on to win three successive Premier League titles after three seasons without a top flight crown, before the ultimate prize of another Champions League trophy success was secured in 2008.

With Ibrahimovic out for the rest of the season, and possibly off to seek pastures new if United choose not to take up the option to extend his deal, Rashford and Martial may have to quickly become the focal point of Mourinho's revolution.

In the immediate future, with United only one point behind rivals Manchester City coming into Thursday's derby clash, live on Sky Sports, both have certainly given Mourinho a more welcome selection headache than he has been used to of late.

"Martial just injects that bit of pace into United's play," Neville added. "He has that ability to just drop deep, into the No 10 position and then burst forward, dragging defenders with him. Mourinho has a real dilemma now ahead of the derby on Thursday. Can he play both Rashford and Martial?"

Both may not feature together just yet, but just as Rooney and Ronaldo did 11 years ago, this dynamic duo possess a potent blend of ability and enthusiasm to potentially propel United back up to challenge for titles once more.

Credit: Skysports.com