After enduring three straight draws against lower-ranking opposition to close out 2017 in disappointing fashion, Manchester United appear to have once again discovered the form that painted them as early-season title contenders.
Since hanging their new calendars, United have reeled off three consecutive league victories – by a combined score of 6-0 – and have restored a sense of optimism around Old Trafford. That has been reinforced by the arrival of Alexis Sanchez.
The catalyst for this recent improvement is clear. The reinstatement of Anthony Martial into United’s starting XI has rejuvenated the side, with the Frenchman frequently serving as the central hub of attacking moves. His pace and guile has provided a directness to United’s attacking play, and his involvement has instantly provided Fantasy dividends: after goals in each of United’s three victories, Martial already looks like one of the form players of 2018.
With Sanchez choosing the red half of Manchester, question marks now surround manager Jose Mourinho’s preferred deployment of his frontline assets. Yet on the basis of recent form, it is impossible to deny that Martial has staked a strong claim for a wide forward slot in their 4-2-3-1 set-up.
While the prospect of Sanchez has piqued the interest of Fantasy managers – potentially enabling the Chilean to take a place alongside Martial and Jesse Lingard behind Romelu Lukaku – it should be noted that United have often excelled this season when designating two holding midfielders to protect the middle of the park behind the roaming Paul Pogba.
In either set-up, however, Martial holds the potential of providing elite-level returns at a mid-level (8.0) price point.
