It may only be the Carabao Cup, as the saying goes but for Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek, this game really was everything. With Manchester United’s ranks now packed to the rafters with quality options across the board, a rare start and chance to impress was worth its weigh in gold to the underperforming, confidence-shy duo.
Yet once again, this was another opportunity that went begging. This was another case of stage fright.
Both Martial and Van de Beek had the chance to leave United on deadline day but for one reason or another, they ended up staying put beyond 11pm.
Martial was the subject of a late loan request from his former club Lyon but the Frenchman told the Ligue 1 side that he wasn’t interested in leaving United and he wanted to fight for his place.
On the flip side, Van de Beek was keen on joining Everton on loan, where he was offered the chance to play regularly and adapt to the Premier League.
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While he was deployed in a rather deeper role tonight against West Ham, Van de Beek looked like a lost schoolboy in the middle of the park. He looked out of his depth.
Bruno Fernandes was pictured moaning and waving his arms about in frustration as United trailed in the second half and he could be forgiven for taking offence to Van de Beek’s performance.
West Ham were no pushovers in midfield but Hammers duo Alex Kral and Mark Noble were hardly something to fear.
Van de Beek couldn’t even help United gain a foothold in the game over them and West Ham continued to play through the middle of the field as they went in search of a second goal.
In attack, Martial was hardly helping his side in their search for an equaliser.
His touch was like a trampoline and the Stratford End made their feelings known on several occasions when he lost the ball.
Granted, he is lacking confidence and in need of a goal but when you’re competing with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Mason Greenwood, that basics are the bare minimum. Martial could not even do that tonight.
He had a glorious chance in the first half that he poked across the face of goal but the Martial of old would have finished with aplomb.
The United duo are now on thin ice with Solskjaer and there is no way they can complain about game time when turning in these kind of performances.
Both need a run in the team but when competition for places is this intense, unfortunately, it isn’t going to happen…