I've seen a lot of people on this sub debate over what Anthony's best long-term position is in the line-up. The most recurring opinions I've seen is that he should either play A) where is now and make it his own, B) should be playing centrally or C) should be one half of a front two, in varying formations (4-4-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2 diamond, etc).

Many people see his natural goal scoring instincts and think he should be in the middle. They see him as a striker that, if nurtured properly, can progress into our desperately needed 20+ goals/season striker. They'll look to our first few games where he had a great goal rate in an advanced position. And honestly, not many fans would disagree. He does, however, look frustrated with his back to goal sometimes. This could be a product of our system which, to be fair, isn't exactly kind to strikers or centre forwards. Others see him centrally, however, because they really believe in Memphis- particularly as an every-game starter down the line. I also believe in Memphis but I feel that this mentality is a losing mentality. You don't play your best player potentially out of position just to accommodate another player. If you believe Martial's best position is central, that's a good reason, but if you believe he should be there just so there's room for Memphis on the pitch... well I just don't believe in that mentality.

There is also merit for wanting Martial to be a part of a front two. A front two is a great approach for using one or two less robust strikers who can, in tandem, be more deadly than they might be alone. Fergie employed it successfully for most of his career (though that was a different time for football altogether) and, recently, Liverpool have seen success with it for Sturridge and Suarez. I can't stand any of them but they were undeniably successful. Atletico employ two up front quite often as well, though they don't tactically set up like a traditional 4-4-2. That said, I don't think the 3-5-2, 4-4-2, or diamond are sustainable for any team. In the league it's more effective because top teams can use their sheer domination over time to win titles. In cups and Europe where you're playing opposition as good or better than you regularly, however, it's much less feasible to win titles that way. Switching formations left and right isn't usually sustainable for a team either. Because of that, formations like 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-5-1, etc are all better options if employed correctly. Truthfully, they're all the same formation with different names. They employ slightly different positioning in theory, but they're pretty close. This, for the time being in the current state of football, is the only feasible way to go for me and, because of that, Anthony nor the team are best suited that way.

Lastly, there's the prospect of Anthony staying out to the left. If you haven't gathered it by now, this is something I believe in. Anthony, to me, is undoubtedly our best and most dangerous player. He's also got a remarkably more dangerous feel to his game when he's flying in from the left. He has some of the tightest control I've seen in a player and that ball stays attached his feet better than Aguero, Hazard, Bale, or many others world-class players. Only a few like Messi, Ronaldo, and Ribery are better in this specific sense. Cutting in from the left, this skill is made most effective. Not only can he really drive in, he has remarkably good vision for his age and experience as well. He doesn't always make the right decision but he often does. He really ought to be nurtured in this way. Even better support than just his skillset, though, is looking at what it takes to be successful. The best attacks in Europe have three natural goalscorers playing up top. Messi, Neymar Suarez. Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema. At their peak, Ribery, Robben, Lewandowski. Other teams that don't have as many goalscorers are either not as wealthy as us or don't have the personal. This, to me, is the model though. It's almost a moneyball approach really. Instead of pushing Martial inside, Memphis left, and someone like Mata right, we should be looking at Martial, (mystery signing like Lewa, Cavani, Benz, Rooney, Rashford, etc), and someone like Griezmann. It's a difference of 40 goals a season combined at best (ie fully realized potential) versus 50 or 60. It's all conjecture of course. It's so much more likely to be successful to me though. And the hardest pieces to find in that puzzle are players like Martial and Griezmann who can be just as efficient as wingers as they are centrally. So to me, that's our best option.

It's 100% all hinging on signing great players to come and help us compete, though. If the board couldn't or wouldn't sign top players, it may be better to push Martial inside, utilize Memphis and take advantage of the talent we have. We're Manchester United though. We're supposed to be the best. This is how we do it. Again, I'm not saying I don't believe in Memphis. I do. But if he wants it, he can earn it over someone like Anthony or possibly make the RW his own. I also have faith in players like Rashford and Rooney. But no player is bigger than the club and should keep us from reaching our fullest potential. Any manager, Fergie included (Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo), will play players "out of position" (which is highly subjective) if it makes the team better and it's sustainable. I think that's our best case scenario with Martial on the left.

Anyway. That's my rant. I really want to hear your thoughts. I welcome any opposing opinions as well. This isn't sensationalist or trolling or any of that, if some thought it may seem like it. Thanks for reading.