The mercurial Martial versus the sanitized Sane depicts the picture of the dynamic wing forward which has gained more power and flexibility in terms of penetration and persistence in prevalent footballing structure. They both were brought to fulfill different requirements but oddly enough, they are fitting in the same role and performing similar duties for their respective Manchester clubs.

Anthony Martial

Transfer Fee: The services of Martial were acquired by Manchester United for 36 million pounds adding up to 58 million with add-on and bonuses. It seemed like a hefty amount for a teenager but the manner in which the transfer market has exploded in recent times, the transaction looks more like a bargain. Keep in mind United lost Robin Van Persie and Chicharito, Martial was a panic buy from Louis Van Gaal to find potency between the posts.

Impact on the team: Tony’s impact was incisive and inclusive in that industrious first season where a philosophy was destroying a legacy. His wing play on that left-hand side cutting in to release a shot or thread a pass was wonderful. He was the only spark in that Manchester United side as his link-up play with Rooney and Rashford provided some respite to the religious. The second season was a struggle with a change in management stopping his severe siege. He has started reasonably well this season but explosion has to be extracted from his energy.

Relationship with the managers: He was an Arjen Robben of Netherlands to Louis Van Gaal who relied on rigidity and solo runs from the flanks to grind a result. Martial provided the movement which manufactured few merits for Manchester in the 2015-16 campaign. Life has been up and down under Mourinho, Jose expects his players to provide solidarity and track back to retrieve the ball, Martial is trying to cope up with the new regime, he has been hogging the bench more often which explains his frustrations on and off the pitch.

Stats: Martial has scored 19 goals in 66 appearances for Manchester United in the Premier league which is underwhelming but you have to realize that he has been underutilized and has been viewed mostly as a utility player by Jose. His cup record hasn’t been electric either, just 5 goals in Europe and the total of 4 lethal strikes in the domestic cups. Numbers are necessary but they hide the small nuances that turn into a sensation with experience.

Leroy Sane

Transfer Fee: Sane was purchased for a fee around 49 million pounds rising to 56 million with an add-on, similar fee to Martial and another decent deal considering the volatile market in this intolerant industry. Sights were set on Sane when he was at Schalke, it was only inevitable that a marquee club would come forward for his signature, Manchester City sealed the deal.

Impact on the team: It has been a slow burner considering the current footballing environment where everything is required to be instant, but now Sane has really gelled in this team with Pep’s precision helping the forward yield positive results, his link-up play with Sterling, Jesus and Aguero is sublime, the power and force in his shots is supreme plus he reads Kevin De Bruyne passes perfectly to provide a constant threat on that left-hand side. He requires the team to click beside him for comfort.

Relationship with the manager: Pep Guardiola has been an empowering figure for Sane which has helped him understand his position to power his runs with penetration. He always provides an option on the flanks which is figured out intellectually on the bench.

Stats: Sane has scored 11 goals in 37 appearances for Manchester City in the league which once again doesn’t tell you the whole story as he has only started in a handful of games, the amount of exposure he is getting this season has certain brought intent to his mindset.

Martial and Sane have a lot in common with regards to dribbling and pace, Sane edges Martial when it comes to physicality and force which is a handy asset to have in this league, temperamentally also I find Sane more firm and Martial more fragile but when it comes to pure skill and technique there are few who can match the magic of Martial.

Upside: Martial has tremendous upside if the management allows him to express himself whereas Sane is going with the flow with a manger giving him the license to thrill.

Author’s take

I’ll always prefer Martial over Sane because he can take on 2-3 defenders and beat them consistently which can unsettle the defender and create space for the forward and attacking midfielder. Sane on the other side needs quality around him to express himself.

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