I know Manchester United’s weakness, reveals Crystal Palace boss

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has revealed that he is well aware of ways of stopping Manchester United from dominating play.

Speaking after securing a 0-0 draw with United at Selhurst Park on Saturday, Pardew said the surest way to halt United’s advances in a match is to stop Anthony Martial from making attacking threats.

Manchester United were edgeless in front of goal for the third game in succession with Martial starting out wide before moving to a more central role as Louis van Gaal’s side struggled to create chances.

“We didn’t give Martial an inch. It was a big target for us to stop him and we felt that if we could do that we can stop their creative angle,” said Pardew.

“I have to say that he’s an impressive young player. I think he handled himself very well today, because he would have felt our presence around him, and still he had moments in the game.”

“With such a young player, Louis van Gaal will have to be very careful because every team will be looking to stop him.”

Pardew also defended Wayne Rooney who has been criticised for just scoring two league goals this season.

“In defence of Wayne I didn’t really think he got a lot of good possession in the match. I didn’t think he had a lot of chances to create anything,” said Pardew.

“I thought we bossed the second half, and in the first half he didn’t get a lot of crosses, so it’s very difficult for him to have an influence on the game.”

Martial’s best position

As the debate on United’s blunt striking force continues, Louis van Gaal has come out to reveal that he does not know the best position to play former Monaco striker Anthony Martial.

In his post-match presser, Van Gaal said he had no idea what Martial’s best position is, saying the position he is placed is often dictated by the general team composition.

Martial previously played on the wing for Monaco adding that the balance of the team dictates where he plays.

The Frenchman played from the left wing as the Red Devils once again failed to score at Selhurst Park, their third consecutive 0-0 result this season.

Martial made a spectacular start to his Old Trafford career playing as an out-and-out centre forward, but was selected out wide by Van Gaal in favour of the misfiring Wayne Rooney through the middle.

“We don’t know yet because in Monaco he played as a left winger,” said Van Gaal.

“And as a manager I have to maintain a balance in the team, and that’s not so simple. So every week I have to decide where to play him depending on the game plan and the opponent,” he said.

“We have played him in the striking position, and that was not the first time for him but in Monaco he played on the left wing.”

The 19-year-old Frenchman scored his first champions league goal during Manchester United match away at CSKA Moscow a fortnight ago.

Martial now has scored five goals in his Manchester United career, which began in September following his arrival from French club Monaco in a Ksh5.5 billion ($55.5 million) transfer.

Reports from Old Trafford reveal that Manchester United are preparing a £90 million transfer for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale in January in order to sharpen their striking force.