Manchester United forward Anthony Martial should look to Liverpool‘s attacking trio for inspiration, according to Gary Neville.
Martial scored twice for United as the Red Devils drew 2-2 with Chelsea on Saturday having initially gone a goal down.
The brace took Martial’s tally for the season to four in all competitions, also bringing up 40 since joining United in 2015.
But, former United defender Neville believes the Frenchman needs to be more consistent and attacking in his play.
“They need more from the front three, there’s so much talent there,” he told Sky Sports.
“If you think of Lukaku, [Alexis] Sanchez, Martial and Rashford, they need more from them. I want to see more runs past Lukaku. I want the two wide players, whoever they are – you see what Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah do for Liverpool, how they make those narrow runs inside.
“I’m not saying they have to play narrow but wherever you start, you’ve got to end up in goalscoring positions more often and you’ve got to show that little bit of quality and composure in the final third.
“I thought in the first half, there was an absolute gulf in the quality of the wide players – between Eden Hazard and Willian and Rashford and Martial – their understanding of the position and their adapting of their position on the pitch when the team were in possession, there were no runs in behind with intent, there was a lack of quality on the ball.
“But in the second half, Martial gives you a glimpse. He shows you what he can do and Rashford does that as well but they’ve got to perform consistently.”
Since Martial signed for United in 2015, no player has scored more goals for the club than the Frenchman’s 40.
Martial is likely to continue in the starting XI when United take on Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Martial vs Liverpool’s wingers
While Liverpool’s attacking trio were ferocious last season, Roberto Firmino, Mane and Salah have been slightly more subdued this campaign.
Both Salah and Mane have scored one more goal than Martial, four to his three, but the Frenchman’s goals have come from fewer minutes on the pitch averaging at 0.77 per 90 minutes compared to 0.51 (Mane) and 0.47 (Salah).
Martial has also been more involved in his team’s play, averaging 35.38 completed passes per 90, compared to Mane’s 23.46 and Salah’s 20.17.
However, Liverpool’s Salah does still lead the way of the trio for take-ons, completing 2.36 per 90 to Martial’s 1.79 and Mane’s 1.41.
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