Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been criticised for not using Anthony Martial as a striker, but is he more effective on the wing? The statistics throw up some interesting results… Anthony Martial has been one of the most talked-about players in the Premier League since Manchester United made him the most expensive teenager in football history on the final day of the summer transfer window.At first, the discussion centred on how the little-known Frenchman could possibly justify a transfer fee that could reportedly rise as high as £61.5m. Louis van Gaal and the player himself called it crazy money, and many observers saw it as a desperate move by United after missing out on bigger names. Martial, though, didnt take long to silence his doubters. He marked his Premier League debut by coming off the bench to score an unforgettable solo goal in a 3-1 win over Liverpool on September 12, and a week later netted a clinical brace in a 3-2 victory over Southampton at St Marys Stadium.Suddenly, the crazy transfer fee looked like a shrewd piece of business for a side desperately lacking spark in the final third. Martials emergence has been one of few bright spots in Uniteds disappointing season, and with the 20-year-olds talent no longer up for debate, the discussion has turned to where exactly he is at his most effective.Van Gaal has provoked the ire of many Manchester United supporters by fielding Martial on the left flank for much of the campaign. The frustration is understandable. The former Monaco man is routinely their most threatening attacking player, after all, and with seven Premier League goals he is also joint-top of their scoring charts. Anthony Martial scores for Manchester United against Stoke in February So is Martial wasted out wide? Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry is among the leading voices to have said so, but Van Gaal has refused to bow to external pressure. The United boss has explained his stance by saying he puts the teams needs before those of any individual, but he might have been better off pointing to the stats. Anthony Martial comparison - Premier League 2015/16 PL 2015/16 Martial starting as striker Martial starting out wide Starts 9 13 Goals 2 4 Assists 1 2 Total shots per 90 mins 1.7 1.9 Shots on target per 90 mins 0.6 0.7 Chances created per 90 mins 1.1 1.2 Succ. dribbles per 90 mins 2.3 2.8 Touches per 90 mins 45.2 50.9 According to Opta, Martial has begun nine Premier League games as a striker and 13 out wide, and the stats show his starts on the flanks have been more productive in all attacking departments. There, Martial has averaged more goals, more assists, more shots, more chances created and more dribbles per 90 minutes than he has up front. Is Europa hangover real? Does playing in the competition affect a clubs domestic form? His two-goal performance against Southampton in September was an early indication of just how devastating he can be through the middle, but eight Premier League starts as a striker since have yielded no goals and only a single assist. Even more damningly, Martial has only mustered one shot on target in his last five starts up front combined. In those 450 minutes, the Red Devils claimed just two points and only managed to score twice. Anthony Martials last five starts as a striker - Premier League 2015/16 Opponent Result Mins played Goals Assists Shots on target Leicester City D 1-1 90 0 0 0 West Ham D 0-0 90 0 0 0 Bournemouth L 1-2 90 0 0 0 Stoke City L 0-2 90 0 0 1 Southampton L 0-1 90 0 0 0 It is equally significant that Uniteds results have been notably better with Martial stationed out wide. With the Frenchman starting through the middle, they have recorded three wins, two draws and four defeats, giving them an average of just 1.22 points per game. With Martial on the flank, however, their record of five wins, five draws and three defeats equates to 1.54 points per game. Manchester United with Martial starting up front v starting out wide - Premier League 2015/16 Manchester United Played Won Drawn Lost Points per game With Martial starting as striker 9 3 2 3 1.22 With Martial starting out wide 13 5 5 3 1.54 In the continued absence of the injured Wayne Rooney, it remains to be seen whether Van Gaal will keep faith with youngster Marcus Rashford or opt for Martial to lead the line in Uniteds Europa League return-leg with Liverpool and the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Super Sunday. United need Rooney back Wayne Rooneys return will boost United for the final stretch of the season, says Denis Law. But with the stats in mind, perhaps it wouldnt be too much of a surprise to see Martial finish the season on the flank. And for a reminder of what he can do when cutting in from the left, you only have to cast your mind back to the last time Liverpool visited Old Trafford… Martial scored on his United debut against Liverpool Also See: Rooney eyeing April return Pallister: Fans will be crucial Adidas Tennis Hu Uomo . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Adidas Gazelle Uomo Blu . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. http://www.scarpebasketsaldi.it/adidas-nmd-c2.html . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Adidas Deerupt Runner . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. Adidas NMD Sconto . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky coach Mark Stoops was speechless after Austin MacGinnis kicked a season-long 51-yard field goal as time expired to lift Kentucky to a 40-38 win over Mississippi State on Saturday night and end a seven-game skid against the Bulldogs.We both just looked at each other and I dont even know what we said, Stoops said. I gave him a hug and probably told him I loved him.For MacGinnis, the game-winner was a relief. MacGinnis also made field goals of 46, 32 and 32 yards but missed a 28-yard attempt Kentuckys opening series.It feels so good to get over the hump, he said. We havent beaten Mississippi State since Ive been here, so it felt really good to get the SEC win.Despite the botched attempt on MacGinnis first try, Stoops remained assured in his kickers abilities, even until the final buzzer.I had a lot of confidence with him in that last kick, the Kentucky coach said. I was good with it either way, because I felt like our team played their hearts out. I know our coaches coached their hearts out.Mississippi State trailed 34-24 with 14:57 remaining, but used two late touchdowns to make things interesting down the stretch, setting the tone for the exciting finish.Kentuckys Stephen Johnson was 17-of-33 passing for 292 yards and two touchdowns but had two fumbles, both resulting in touchdowns for the Bulldogs, including one that led to an 81-yard touchdown run by Mark McLaurin that pulled the Bulldogs within 34-31 with 9:33 remaining.The Wildcats (4-3, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) need two wins, with five games remaining in the regular season, to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2010.It was Kentuckys first win over Mississippi State (2-5, 1-3) since 2008 and marked the first time the Wildcats have won three or more conference games since the 2009 season.The loss was the third straight for the Bulldogs, who have struggled without former standout Dak Prescott, now turning heads in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys.Jeff Badet hauled in seven passes for 139 yards including touchdowns of 44 and 40 yards for Kentucky. Benny Snell added 128 yards rushing and one touchdown.Kentucky finished with 554 total yards and limited the Bulldogs to just 362 yards.Kentucky pulled within 14-12 on a double reverse out of the Wildcat formation from Snell to Ryan Timmons, to Johnson, who ccapped the play with a 44-yard touchdown strike to Badet to open the second half.ddddddddddddThe Wildcats took their first lead on Snells 34-yard touchdown run on Kentuckys second series of the half. Johnsons two-point conversion pass to Tevin Richardson gave the Wildcats a 20-17 lead with 6:26 remaining in the third quarter.Fitzgerald paced Mississippi States offense with 107 yards rushing and two touchdowns, including a 7-yard strike to Fred Ross to give the Bulldogs a 38-37 lead with 1:09 remaining.Stoops said the comeback ranks among his biggest wins in his four-year tenure as coach of the Wildcats.Its right up there, he said. It seems like we have some of those (in the past) but its right up there. It didnt go how we wanted it to all the time, but I really felt very well-prepared for this game.For the Bulldogs, the ending was all too familiar.We just needed to make a play and credit them for making the play, Mullen said. I feel bad for our guys. Weve lost three games this season on the final play of the game with a really young team. But the opportunities are there for us to make plays. We just didnt make enough of them.SCARY MOMENTMississippi State offensive guard Darryl Williams, a redshirt freshman, went down with a an injury during a field goal attempt in the second half and was carried off the field in a stretcher at the 9:37mark of the third quarter.Williams was transported to nearby UK Chandler Medical Center for further evaluation. According to MSU spokesman Bill Martin, Williams had movement in all of his extremities.THE TAKEAWAYKentucky: The Wildcats have won four of their past five games after opening the season with two straight losses. Kentucky took sole possession of second place in the SEC East with the win over the Bulldogs, a game ahead of No. 18 Tennessee, which was idle this week.Mississippi State: The Bulldogs streak of six straight postseason appearances appears to be in jeopardy with five games remaining in the season. Mississippi State has yet to play SEC West foes Alabama, Texas A&M, Arkansas and Mississippi. Coach Dan Mullen suffered his first loss to the Wildcats.UP NEXTKentucky is at Missouri Saturday.Mississippi State hosts Samford. Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2018 Cheap Stitched Jerseys Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys From China Cheap Jerseys Wholesale China NFL Jerseys White ' ' '