Statistically speaking, Anthony Martial’s return of just one goal in five games does not exactly suggest the former Manchester United striker is setting the world alight at AEK Athens.
Then again, perhaps a rather sluggish start was to be expected.
The Greek Super League may not even be in the same postcode as the Premier League when it comes to sheer quality but, after another year spent struggling with injuries, even the most optimistic AEK supporter should not have been all that surprised to see Anthony Martial slowly ease his way in to life in a new league and a new country.
Recent signs, meanwhile, look promising indeed.
Martial opened his AEK account in a Man of the Match display during a 1-0 win over Aris Salonika in the Greek cup at the end of October. That was his first goal since hitting the net for Manchester United against Everton 11 months earlier.
Then, back in the left-wing role in which he made his name at Old Trafford, Martial provided a maiden AEK assist while creating new fewer than seven chances during a 3-0 thumping of Asteras Aktor before the international break.
Former Manchester United striker Anthony Martial loving life in Greece
No wonder Martial, who left Man United when his contract expired over the summer, is feeling positive for the first time in quite a while. Playing regular football once again and attempting to put that injury nightmare behind him at last.
“I feel very good. [My fitness is getting] better and better,” Martial tells L’Equipe. “I am training hard to get back into shape and help the team.”
Martial, during nearly a decade in England, became used to the cavernous, 76-seater arena of Old Trafford.
The raucous atmosphere at AEK’s Agia Sophia Stadium is not for the faint-hearted, however, Martial parroting Facundo Pellistri with the striker’s former Manchester United team-mate spellbound by the ‘paradise’ of Panathinaikos.
“I feel very happy here. Greek football continues to progress year after year,” Martial adds. “I was impressed by the facilities and the stadium. The atmosphere is incredible in every match.
“That’s a plus.”
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Rene Meulensteen explains why Martial never really hit the heights
Eyebrows were raised when Antony Martial opted to take a somewhat lesser-travelled path when bringing an end to nine years at Man United.
But while many in his situation opted instead for the glamour of the USA or the oil-coated petrodollars of the Middle East, the idea of putting Greek football on the map was something which appealed to arguably the most high-profile signing in AEK’s history.
“I am very happy,” Martial said during his official unveiling. “AEK is an opportunity for me and I will give my best to achieve things. (I want to) win trophies and bring joy to the team.”
Former Man United coach Rene Meulensteen bemoans Martial’s lack of ‘consistency’ in that famous red shirt, meanwhile. Even when fully fit, the Frenchman had a habit of flipping from the awesome to the anonymous pretty rapidly.
“I think everybody could see the potential that he has got, that he had. And everybody was constantly asking when is it really coming to fruition,” Meulensteen told talkSPORT.
“You saw glimpses of it, but there was never really consistency. And I think that was the thing that sort of let him down over his time at Manchester United.
“Plus, he has had a lot of injuries as well.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/ekXwNbF