Nick Wright analyses Anthony Martial's first start for Manchester United as they began their Champions League campaign with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven...
When Anthony Martial looks back on the beginning of his Manchester United career, he will certainly remember his debut more fondly than his first start.
United's return to the Champions League ended in bitter disappointment. Luke Shaw's broken leg casts a long shadow after his excellent start to the season, and they left the Philips Stadion empty-handed after Memphis Depay's superb opener was cancelled out by two sucker-punch strikes from his former club.
For Martial, it was a mixed evening. Louis van Gaal had spoken about not expecting too much too soon from the world's most expensive teenager despite his stunning debut goal against Liverpool on Saturday.
But with Wayne Rooney injured and Marouane Fellaini ill in the build-up to the game, Martial was thrown into the starting XI to lead the line against PSV.
In the Sky Sports News HQ studio, former United striker Dwight Yorke summed up the excitement surrounding their new No 9 after his debut heroics. "We hadn't seen that kind of thing at United for some time," he said. "We've been crying out for it over the last year or so. Martial has come in and given the whole place a lift."
It certainly seemed as though Martial was eager to impress, and there were signs of intent early on. A burst of pace on the right flank in the third minute was followed by a rather over-enthusiastic foul on a PSV player, and not long afterwards he ghosted in front of his marker at the near post but couldn't quite muster the power to divert Memphis' low cross into the net.
It was an encouraging start, but he cut an isolated figure for much of the first half. Despite his imposing frame he was muscled off the ball on several occasions, and his first touch let him down at other moments. That, in truth, should come as little surprise for a teenager thrust into the spotlight so suddenly.
It wasn't until first-half stoppage time that he first sparked to life, collecting a Marcos Rojo pass with his back to goal, spinning away from Hector Moreno and charging forward before playing a perfectly weighted pass to Ashley Young on the right-hand side of the box.
It was a strong finish to the half for Martial but the stats showed that Shaw, who suffered his injury early in the first half, was the only player to have had fewer than his 19 touches, and he had also lost possession nine times.
Martial was more involved in the second half. His rawness came across at times, but he finished the game with 46 touches and United will at least be encouraged by some of his hold-up and linking play.
In the 51st minute, for example, Martial showed strength to hold off Jeffrey Bruma and play a perfect lay-off to Memphis, whose goalbound effort was saved by PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet.
He was similarly effective to set up Juan Mata, who shot wastefully over the bar after Luciano Narsingh had put PSV in front. Martial played two key passes in total, with Mata the only United player to complete more.
But while Martial's approach play was encouraging, he spurned his only scoring opportunity of the second half when he ran onto Memphis' through ball on the right-hand side of the box in the 77th minute. The angle was tight, but he will still be disappointed to have dragged his finish so far wide.
Martial's pace and strength gives United a different option at the tip of their attack, but they still struggled to carve out clear chances against PSV, with only 10 shots on goal in total. It has become a worryingly familiar theme this season. Even in the 3-1 win over Liverpool they only had six shots, and their total of 38 in the Premier League is the fourth-lowest in the division, with only six goals scored in five games.
Martial showed more glimpses of his potential against PSV, but there was also evidence of his inexperience. His total of 46 touches was still the lowest of United's outfield players and only Memphis lost possession more times than him.
Martial's price-tag and United's lack of alternatives up front mean expectation weighs heavily on his teenage shoulders, but Van Gaal was right when he said he needs time.