Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s absence has changed the way Manchester United attack and Anthony Martial’s pace is a big menace says Danny Higginbotham
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC is a huge miss for United.
But his absence has changed the dynamic with Jose Mourinho’s side and altered the way they attack.
Anthony Martial helped create two goals against Burnley that perhaps Manchester United would not have conjured up if top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic had playedReuters
So much so I don’t think they would have scored the two goals they did against Burnley with Zlatan in the team.
The Swede is a fantastic back-to-goal target man but Anthony Martial plays right on the shoulder, right on the offside line and then uses his pace to get in behind.
The style is different. Not necessarily better but it could work well against City in the Manchester derby on Thursday.
The absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a big blow for United but rather than replace him directly Jose Mourinho has successfully altered the way his side attackPA:Press Association
SILVA FEELS AT HOME
MARCO SILVA is now unbeaten at home in his last 41 league games with Estoril, Sporting Lisbon, Olympiakos and Hull.
And he has turned the Tigers’ season around.
They have won six and drawn one in the league at home and conceded more than one in only one of the matches.
It has come down to the team being more on the front foot, taking the game to the opposition and not sitting in. This positive mentality has clearly rubbed off on his players.
The arrival of boss Marco Silva has been a huge boost Hull’s Prem survival hopesReuters
KING’S REWARD
I HAVE been really impressed with Josh King’s movement and he was rewarded with another goal in Bournemouth’s win over Middlesbrough.
He also dovetails nicely with Benik Afobe, who stretches the game allowing King to drop into the hole between the opposition midfield and defence.
Josh King has been making impressive runs in the gaps for BournemouthGriffiths Photographers
STOKE STRUGGLING
STOKE have scored more than once in only two of their last 13 games — which helps explain why they are struggling. Only four Premier League teams have scored fewer.
Mark Hughes must be hoping that Saido Berahino comes good next season — or is it time for them to go out and sign that top-class striker they have been missing for a long, long time?
Saido Berahino has yet to look fully convincing for Stoke who are on a poor runGetty Images
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They defend with five and attack with five — and it has brought them four wins in their last six away games.
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