“He can’t deal with the pressure of playing at Man United” - Graeme Souness delivers brutal verdict on 26-year-old Manchester United star

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has told talkSPORT that Anthony Martial can't deal with the pressure of playing for Manchester United.

Martial has been at Old Trafford for seven seasons, having joined the club from Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in 2015 for £54 million.

The French striker arrived as the world's most expensive teenager at the time and shone in his debut match against Liverpool, scoring a brilliant goal.

However, it hasn't been the greatest of stints for Martial at United as he has had to deal with injury issues, a lack of form and a poor attitude on the pitch.

He has managed 79 goals and 50 assists in 269 appearances for the Red Devils.

Souness has blasted the centre-forward claiming that he is not at the same level as Manchester United:

“In United’s case, they’ve not really recruited any game changers. When you are talking about ‘we are going to miss Martial’, how many opportunities is that young man going to get to be a Manchester United player?

Souness continued:

“He’s proven already to me he’s not for Man United. He can’t deal with the pressure of playing at Man United. Man United are one of the biggest clubs in the world. They are in a cup final every time they go out and play a game of football."

Martial's former United teammate Paul Pogba also came under fire throughout his time at the club.

Pogba has returned to Juventus this summer on a free transfer, despite costing the Red Devils a club-record £89 million fee back in 2016.

Souness has compared the two:

“It’s a bit like Pogba. I see both of them and I see players in them and qualities that few players possess. But it’s on their terms and they pick and choose when they use it."

Souness added:

“These players are not up for that, they’re not up for the fight. They are not people you can rely on… end of. I don’t think you can rely on Martial any more, not that you ever could. He’s been far too hit or miss.”

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Manchester United need to get Martial firing

Martial earned praise during pre-season

Martial impressed during pre-season with Manchester United, scoring three goals in five starts under Erik ten Hag.

Unfortunately, the Dutch tactician was without the Frenchman for the Red Devils' season-opening 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford.

Martial picked up a hamstring strain in a friendly against Atletico Madrid on July 30.

With question marks still remaining over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, Martial's availibility will be vital for United.

If he can get back to the type of form that saw him manage 23 goals in 48 games back in the 2019/20 season, it will bode well for United.