Martial Is Becoming United's New Super Sub

Anthony Martial is proving to be a super sub for Manchester United this season, judging by his impressive cameo appearances in the consecutive 4-0 wins over West Ham and Swansea City.

The 21-year-old Frenchman has experienced only 33 minutes of top-flight action so far, yet he has definitely not wasted that time on the pitch by bagging two goals and supplying an assist.

Martial's first strike was registered against the Hammers at Old Trafford with a calm finish past Joe Hart, capping his 14-minute outing in the Premier League opener. The second arrived on Saturday at the Liberty Stadium in Wales, where he enjoyed a 19-minute run-out and slotted in United’s final goal.

Impressively, Anthony’s two goals have come from his only two efforts on target, which gives him a handsome 100 per cent conversion rate at this early stage of the season. That figure exhibits a certain level of composure and maturity from someone so young, who clearly knows when to pull the trigger.

The former Monaco star’s passing statistics are also admirable, as he has completed 18 of his 20 attempted passes throughout his 33 minutes of Premier League football in 2017/18 thus far. Those of you with a mind for maths will already know that provides him with a 90 per cent success rate.

Of course, goals will always be the most important statistic for any attacking player and it is encouraging for Martial that he has already scored twice in 2017/18, given that he did not reach that number last season until 20 October 2016 and only chalked up eight goal for that entire campaign.

Following his two eye-catching appearances, Martial is presumably now in the frame to start on Saturday when former champions Leicester City visit Old Trafford in the final match before the international break.

The France international may be hard-pressed to force his way into the XI, though, with Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also playing so well at this early stage.

Jose Mourinho has also suggested he cannot change a team that wins 4-0 and that is sound logic, so it is likely that Anthony will again take his spot as a dangerous weapon on the bench this weekend.

Nevertheless, the manager recently spoke positively about his belief in Martial on Saturday following the win at Swansea. "We are using him well and he is coming with the right attitude," Jose said. 

"We had a conversation abut the future he has here, and I think he has a good connection on the pitch with Paul and Romelu. He is coming and growing in confidence. Of course, two periods of 20 minutes and he has scored two goals. That is great for his confidence. Of course he wants to play, he wants to start, he wants to be selected for the national team, to go to the World Cup, so that is good. For me it is simple. I cannot play in the Champions League, the Premier League and the cups with 11 players. I need the squad.

"Anthony is working well, really well. Maybe the little group of French-speaking players - Fellaini, Paul, Lukaku - is a group where he is very well integrated and they bring him up. His professional level has improved and we are happy. We have lots of hopes for him and he can only improve."

Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Anthony Martial’s form is a massive positive this season.