15 January 2023 , 07:30
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Even though he was an injury doubt ahead, it was no surprise that Anthony Martial led the line for Manchester United in the Manchester derby.
After all, Erik ten Hag has repeatedly championed the Frenchman since his arrival at Old Trafford. And it was Martial who bagged a brace in the first derby showdown of the season when United were on the wrong end of a 6-3 thrashing at the Etihad back in October.
But given Martial's chequered fitness record, including the striker from the start was always a gamble: and it's one that almost backfired spectacularly on Manchester United.
The 27-year-old was taken off at half-time after struggling to make an impact against the champions, who took the lead courtesy of a second-half goal from substitute Jack Grealish. Bar Grealish's predatory header, City were unfashionably erratic in the final third and it was United who spurned the best chances of the match.
Marcus Rashford had two golden opportunities in the first-half to break the deadlock after breaching Manchester City's defence but was unable to capitalise. But at least the England man was a threat; the same cannot be said for Martial, who was practically anonymous.
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Martial may have officially passed a late fitness test, but he certainly didn't appear to be in any condition to trouble the champions. The striker was subdued in his movement throughout and barely broke a sweat against Pep Guardiola's side, who had the opportunity to cut the gap at the summit of the Premier League to just two points.
Fortunately for United, a combination of Fernandes, Garnacho and Rashford helped turn the tide in four frenetic second-half minutes to hand them the victory they craved.
Join the debate! What did you make of Martial's performance in the Manchester derby? Let us know here.
Anthony Martial failed to make an impact for Manchester United in the Manchester derby (Michael Regan/Getty)First, Fernandes applied the finishing touch to draw United level in the 78th minute. If Fernandes' strike raised the roof, then United fans tore it off after Rashford produced a clinical finish following some fine work on the flank from Garnacho just minutes later.
While others thrived, Martial's ineffective display will do little to enhance his chances of making the most of the unlikely reprieve he has been handed by Ten Hag.
United's hands may be tied in the transfer market, but competition in United's attacking positions is fierce: Garnacho has made the most of the opportunity that has been presented to him following Cristiano Ronaldo's exit and looks more accomplished by the week while Rashford's recent form speaks for itself.
When you throw Wout Weghorst into the mix after his six-month loan deal was confirmed on Friday, you could perhaps already argue that Martial is up against it.
Martial needed another big performance in the derby. Mitigating circumstances or not, he didn't produce - and his sub-par showing could end up being his last for a while.