Teddy Sheringham has told his former Manchester United teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he must take some of the blame for Anthony Martial’s recent struggles.
The Frenchman has endured a miserable start to the new campaign and has dropped down the pecking order thanks to the club’s summer transfer acquisitions.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho have both arrived at Old Trafford, while Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani appear to have a more prominent role.
Signed for £60million back in 2015, Martial has often divided opinion, with many believing he hasn’t quite lived up to the potential he had as a youngster.
Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed the young forward “could be anything” such was his prodigious talent.
But his early season form has suggested that he most likely to become a fringe player and one that could be moved on at the end of the season.
But Sheringham, who like Solskjaer, earned a reputation as a ‘super sub’ at Old Trafford, believes Martial needs to be more appreciated, which in turn will help him rediscover his best form.
Jose Mourinho had an acrimonious relationship with Martial, but Sheringham, speaking to the Daily Mail, claims the Portuguese’s treatment of Tammy Abraham should serve as a perfect example to Solskjaer.
“It's similar to Harry Kane and Tammy Abraham, centre-forwards need to be loved,” Sheringham explained.
“If you're not feeling loved and appreciated, if you feel you have one chance to do well in the Carabao Cup and if you don't you're not going to get anywhere near the Premier League games, it does put pressure on you.
“Tammy has gone to Roma and Jose Mourinho has said ‘go in there and if you miss chances, you're not going to be out the team straight away’.”
He continued: “It gives you a relaxed time. Footballers need to be relaxed and cool in front of goal, not snapping at chances.
“When you are loved by a manager, you have that feeling. Martial obviously isn't getting that at the moment because there are other players at the club in front of him and you feel like you have to snatch chances when you can.”
Prior to the arrival of Ronaldo, Solskjaer claimed Martial would have a big role within his squad and backed him to prove his doubters wrong.
“As I’ve said before, we really rate Anthony. Last season was disappointing, we had injuries, he lost some form, the season before he was our top scorer,” he said at the start of August.
“I’m very confident and I like what I see from Anthony when I see him in training now, and when I see him in the gym he has that little bit of grit between his teeth again.”
However, so far he has played just 190 minutes and has been an unused sub in the last two Premier League games.
