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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Matt C Jones

Dwight Yorke issues strong warning to Anthony Martial over Manchester United future

Former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke believes Anthony Martial must "buckle down" if he's to remain a consistent first-team option at the club.

United added Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo to their attacking ranks in the summer, giving manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer incredible depth in the forward positions.

For Martial, who struggled for regular minutes last season due to a lack of form and fitness, it means opportunities will be tough to come by.

The Frenchman was handed a surprise start on Saturday in the Premier League though, as he was named in the XI against Everton. Martial continued his excellent record against the Toffees too, as his whipped finish put the Reds ahead at Old Trafford.

Despite his goal, the forward was withdrawn before the hour mark in place of Jadon Sancho.

Speaking about Martial, Yorke said there needs to be a significant shift in attitude if he is to remain a United player for the long-term, per Goal.

"When you play for this club and you’re not doing the business and your form dips for whatever reason you’re going to be under scrutiny," he said. "He’s got to buckle down really if he has a future at this football club.

"He’s undoubtedly got immense talent and all the attributes we like to see in an attacking player and there’s no question he can be that vital player for us but at the moment he’s not in the squad and he’s got to find a way to get back into the team."

Martial looked as though he was going to become a superstar at Old Trafford after joining in 2015, although after an excellent debut season he's struggled to find consistency and take his game to a new level.

The 25-year-old has played across the front line at United and was used on the left flank on Saturday, with Edinson Cavani leading the line.

Yorke believes the regular tweaking of Martial's position has done little to help his progression in recent years.

"He’s been a bit of a mixed bag to be fair. He had that one season when he was outstanding and he looked a serious threat but I think he’s been unfairly treated in some way because I think that No.9 role is a specialist role and you have to play that position week in, week out, to get familiarised with it.

"When he first started off he started off on the left and then the right so he’s not really settled that much. He needs to be playing week in week out to really see the best of him. You can’t give him 10 or 20 minutes and expect him to be the finished article, it just doesn’t happen."

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