Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford is likely to be as a centre-forward, joining Edinson Cavani as and out-and-out striker at United. So far Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial have started as centre-forward for United, the Englishman against Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers with the Frenchman starting against Southampton in-between.
Although both players are similar: versatile forwards with pace, the picture forming of how they’ve approached the centre-forward role shows that Greenwood should be first-choice over Martial. And that’s ignoring the fact that Greenwood already has three goals this season, scoring in every match. All statistics are from the Manchester United and StatsZone applications.
In both of his starts at centre-forward Greenwood has touched the ball on average once every two minutes played and had 88% passing accuracy. He’s scored with every shot on target
Martial as centre-forward managed one touch every 5 minutes played and made only 4 successful passes
Martial more involved as a winger than striker but Greenwood is equally proficient as a striker or winger
In the season opener against Leeds United Greenwood played 90 minutes as a centre-forward. He took 46 touches, roughly one touch for every two minutes played.
He attempted 25 passes, 22 (88%) were successful. 7 of his passes were forward. He attempted to dribble past an opponent (take-on) 9 times and was successful with 5 of them. He took 3 shots, one of which was on target, his goal. he passed to eight different opponents.
Against Wolves Greenwood played 89 minutes at centre-forward. He took 44 touches: an average of 0.49 touches per minute. In other words, roughly one touch every two minutes.
He attempted 24 passes, 21 (88%) of which found their target. He passed to seven different teammates; midfielders, defenders and a striker. He attempted five take-ons and was successful with two of them. He created two chances for his teammates. He took three shorts with one being on target, his goal.
Against Southampton Greenwood played on the right for 90 minutes. He managed 45 touches, exactly one touch for every 2 minutes played.
He attempted 25 passes, 19 of which were on target to 8 different teammates. 2 passes were forward. He created one chance. He attempted 2 take-ons, one of which was successful. He had 5 shots, one of which was on target, his goal.
In comparison against Southampton Martial played 59 minutes at centre-forward during which he took 13 touches. That’s 0.22 touches per minute or, roughly, one touch every 5 minutes he played.
His involvement was very limited. He had one shot and created no chances for his teammates. He attempted only 6 passes, four of which were on target. Two of those passes were to Luke Shaw. He didn’t attempt a single take-on. No passes were forward.
The situation had been little better against Leeds. Martial came on for Paul Pogba on the left-side in the 75th minute. He made 9 touches in 15 minutes, in other words one touch for every five minutes played.
He did manage two successful take-ons but attempted only 7 passes, 5 (71%) were successful, to 4 teammates. Two of his passes were forwards but he didn’t create any chances or have any shots.
Things were better against Wolves. Martial was brought on for Jadon Sancho in the 72nd minute and so played on the left rather than as a centre-forward. In his 18 minutes he touched the ball 19 times, more than one touch a minute.
Although his play was focused to the left side he was more productive making 11 passes, 8 of which were on target to 4 teammates. 2 passes were forward. He managed one successful take-on.
In conclusion, Greenwood has been remarkable consistent as a centre-forward or playing off the wing. In each match he has got involved in play, touching the ball on average once every two minutes. He’s attempted a similar number of passes in each match with a lot of teammates. He’s had three shots on target and scored with each one.
In an age where strikers are expected to link up with play à la Harry Kane Mason Greenwood is showing all the attributes of the modern forward. Anthony Martial has shown better numbers playing from the wing, especially against Wolves, but in terms of overall contribution to the team is lagging behind Mason Greenwood as a centre-forward or wide forward. The excitement of that match against Liverpool when ‘Tony Martial came from France’ seems a while ago.