Anthony Martial walks out at Stadion Koln

Everyone is raving about Martial v Copenhagen

Tuesday 11 August 2020 00:52

Manchester United fans have voted Anthony Martial as the Man of the Match from Monday evening’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final victory over FC Copenhagen.

The France international did not get on the scoresheet in Cologne, but he undoubtedly played an influential role in securing our 1-0 win in Germany and earning progression to the competition’s last four. 

Most notably, Martial won the extra-time penalty from which Bruno Fernandes scored the winning goal, ending 95 minutes of frustration against a stubborn and well-organised Danish defence. 

Anthony also registered four shots of his own and three of them tested the Copenhagen goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson, who produced a sensational performance to keep his side in the game.
Highlights: United 1 FC Copenhagen 0 Video

Highlights: United 1 FC Copenhagen 0

Bruno Fernandes was cool, calm, and collected from the penalty spot to secure a marginal win over FCK.

One of those efforts from Martial had looked destined for the top corner and even had the United bench on its feet in anticipation of a goal, until the opposition stopper pulled off a wonder save. 

Impressively, our no.9 finished the game with 100 per cent passing accuracy and also registered five successful take-ons, using his lightning pace and nimble feet to cause havoc in the Copenhagen box.

"Yes, he was sharp,” said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. “Anthony has developed throughout the season and today he had a good hand in, or was involved in, the penalty. He's impossible to stop at times when he gets the ball into his feet and he drives at people. With his balance, he can go either way. The only thing now is to put that ball in the net again but I'm delighted with his performance, yes.”
Generally, when Fernandes scores and United win, he is voted our Man of the Match by supporters, but that was not the case on Monday night – which showed how much Martial’s display was valued. 

Anthony earned 38 per cent of votes that were cast by users of our Official App to finish ahead of second-placed Bruno (26 per cent) and third-placed Brandon Williams (eight per cent). 

Influential substitute Juan Mata finished fourth in the poll with seven per cent of votes, closely following by Paul Pogba on six per cent. Thanks to everybody who registered their opinion. 
BIG PRAISE FROM BIG NAMES

There were three former United players in the BT Sport studio on Monday night and all of them were raving about Martial’s performance during their post-match analysis. 

“Everyone’s got an opinion on Martial,” said former Reds midfielder Owen Hargreaves. “He is a Ferrari. He just looked like a £100million player!”

Club legend Paul Scholes was in agreement, saying: “He is turning into a no.9 more and more every game I watch.”

Robin van Persie also added: “Martial always had an eye for his team-mates and that’s what sets him apart from the others. That’s why I think he is a world-class player.”

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