Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes Anthony Martial can play in four different attacking positions.
The French forward, who has been used primarily as a centre-forward for United since his £36m move from Monaco on transfer deadline day, lined up on the left wing in the club’s 3-0 win at Everton on Saturday with Wayne Rooney in the No 9 role.
Van Gaal has confirmed that tactic was deployed to dilute the influence of Everton full-back Seamus Coleman, and also said he feels Martial could provide cover in other parts of his side’s forward line in the future.
“He [Martial] can play, in my opinion, four positions,” van Gaal told MUTV. “He can play at seven – as a right-winger, 11 – the left-winger, the striker’s position and also at 10, I believe. But he has played in Monaco always in the left-winger position.
“That is why I put him there against Everton and also because of [Seamus] Coleman. I think he’s a very good right full-back so we could take benefit of the qualities of Martial also.”
Van Gaal also feels he can call on academy product Jesse Lingard as an option on the left side of attack.
Lingard came off the bench for the second half at Goodison Park and remains in the squad for Wednesday’s Champions League game at CSKA Moscow.
“Lingard’s competitor is Juan Mata and his competitor is also, for example, Ander Herrera or Wayne Rooney or, when he is played on the left, because he can also play on the left, his competitor was Memphis [Depay],” said Van Gaal. “So it’s not easy to come in.”
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