Louis Saha is adamant that Manchester United should not sell struggling Anthony Martial this summer, but insisted the Frenchman must become more ‘goal-obsessed’ if he wants to flourish in the number nine shirt.
Martial has been criticised this season for failing to put together a consistent run of form, having scored just four goals in 21 Premier League matches.
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The 25-year-old, who joined the club from Monaco as a 19-year-old for an initial eyebrow-raising £36million, has blown hot and cold with Red Devils’ fans ever since his switch to Old Trafford in 2015.
Former No.9 Saha, however, who scored 42 goals in 124 games for the Red Devils from 2004-2008, is adamant his compatriot has the quality to succeed.
But he has urged Martial to make some tweaks to his game.
“I think he’s a top player, that’s for sure,” Saha told talkSPORT.com.
“I think when you’re a No.9 and you’re not scoring, it’s difficult as people are only asking you to score goals. That’s it.
“When you’re not doing it you’re going to be criticised. You need to be strong and really believe. You also need to be selfish and adopt a style of play that you really fancy.
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“This is why he’s getting the criticism. It’s not about his talent or desire because he has that I’m sure.
“It his expression sometimes. Having that obsession with scoring goals makes it easier because people say he’s been unlucky but you can see when he’s in his comfort zone people get on his back.”
United have been linked with plenty of top strikers over the past few transfer windows, with claims from fans and pundits that the club should replace Martial.
But Saha has backed the striker, insisting he should NOT be sold.
“I really don’t think he’s a player Man United should let go because he can be that player who completes the striking force as he’s unique in the way he plays,” he said.
“When you’re not scoring you need to be obsessed with scoring goals and I think sometimes he doesn’t show that.”
Saha played with some iconic goal-scorers during his four-year spell at Old Trafford.
He graced the pitch with some of the top-flight’s best hitmen, including Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
And Saha believes Martial must compromise his game to become more of a goal-getter, just like Ronaldo has in the latter stages of his career.
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“You mention Wayne [Rooney],” the former Fulham, Everton and Sunderland striker added. “He didn’t have the No.9 on his back. He had the No.10 and could play on the wing and do a big job and nobody would focus on how many goals he scored.
“When he did play in that position, this is what people spoke about when he wasn’t scoring.
“I do feel like he has got it but Martial naturally comes to the ball to try and help his team in a certain way, but I don’t feel like he helps himself.
“When you look at [Edinson] Cavani he gives a lot of energy and sometimes sacrifices himself on the back of good positions.
“That’s the strength of Cristiano [Ronaldo] now. He’s at the end of his career and he completely prioritises how he can score many goals.
“He doesn’t want to be pretty or in nice positions, he just tries to disturb the game, distract the defenders and go to the box. That’s it.”
Louis Saha was speaking to talkSPORT.com on behalf of William Hill. Check out the latest football odds at William Hill
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