‘It’s a bit like Pogba. I see both of them and I see players in them and qualities that few players possess’
Graeme Souness has compared Anthony Martial to Paul Pogba, suggesting that the pair don’t always play to the best of their abilities.
Pogba left United for free for a second time in June, despite joining from Juventus for £89 million six years ago. The Frenchman returned to the Old Lady on a four-year contract last month.
His fellow countryman Martial is expected to play a key role for the Red Devils this season after returning from a loan spell in Spain with Sevilla. However, the striker is is currently out injured and missed his side’s opening weekend loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Despite the 26-year-old’s impressive pre-season campaign, Sky Sports pundit Souness believes that Martial ‘can’t deal with the pressure’ of playing for the club and likened him to Pogba.
Speaking on Talksport, Souness said: “It’s a bit like Pogba. I see both of them and I see players in them and qualities that few players possess.
“But it’s on their terms and they pick and choose when they use it. When you play for a big club you cannot be like that. When you are at a big club you play in a cup final every week.
“These players are not up for that, they’re not up for the fight. There’s no good being a great player in training or being a great player once every six or seven games.
“You’re at a big club because you want to win things and want to be challenging all the time. In basic terms, they are dodgy.
“They are not people you can rely on, end of. I don’t think you can rely on Martial any more, not that you ever could. He’s been far too hit or miss.”
“Martial has proven he’s not for United.”
“It’s a bit like Pogba. I see the qualities in both players, they’re not up for the fight.”
Graeme Souness says #MUFC must not rely on Anthony Martial this season. pic.twitter.com/6YcNPWAQUj
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) August 8, 2022
Souness also insisted that the Red Devils had not recruited any ‘game changers’ in the summer transfer window. The 69-year-old believes the club are in a ‘cup final’ every time they play a match.
“In United’s case, they’ve not really recruited any game changers,” Souness said.
He continued: “Man United are one of the biggest clubs in the world. They are in a cup final every time they go out and play a game of football.
“As Liverpool are, as Chelsea are as Man City are now. Welcome to the big league.”
The Red Devils will look to secure their first points of the new season when they travel to London to face Brentford next weekend.
