Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has revealed that he would prefer to play as a striker but will do what is necessary for the team.
The Frenchman has alternated between playing out wide on the left flank and up front as the main striker since arriving at Old Trafford last summer.
Statistics suggest that the 20-year-old is more effective on the flank as he has scored more goals and produced more assists when starting there, but he insists that he prefers his natural position of playing as the focal point of his team’s attack.
“Foremost I am a striker, it doesn’t bother me at all which position I play, when I am on the pitch I just focus on helping the team that’s all,” he told Sky Sports.
“I just want to help the team, and when I score I am happier, I am a striker and that’s how it goes.”
After his £36m move from Monaco last year, expectations and pressure have weighed heavily on the French international as he has had to make an immediate impact at United given their moves in the transfer market.
With Louis van Gaal focusing on youth and building for the future, Martial has played an important part of their limited progress this season, and there is an argument to suggest that he is better suited to playing on the left flank for the time being.
Given his pace, dribbling skill and movement, he has caused problems for rival right-backs on countless occasions this season. In contrast, United’s struggles in creating chances and scoring goals has seen him isolated and unable to influence proceedings when playing up front at times, a situation that Wayne Rooney has experienced more than once too.
Marcus Rashford continues to lead the line with Martial out on the left hand side, and Van Gaal will hope that for the remaining weeks in the campaign that the pair can have a positive influence on the team.