Lisandro Martínez urges two Manchester United teammates to step up, the statistics back him up

Lisandro Martínez scored the all-important goal for Manchester United in their 1-0 win over Fulham on the weekend.

The match between Manchester United and Fulham was a drab affair, ranking among the dullest of the Premier League season.

Despite the uninspiring display, Ruben Amorim’s side secured a vital three points as they look to move in the right direction in the table.

Lisandro Martínez broke the deadlock with a deflected strike that looped over the Fulham goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Toby Collyer impressed off the bench with a “brilliant” goal-line clearance to deny an equalizer.

While the result was important for Amorim’s men, there’s plenty of room for improvement, as several players underperformed at Craven Cottage.

Martínez urges improvement from Zirkzee and Højlund

Two of those players were Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who both failed to impress at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Højlund was hooked early in the second half after a dreadful display and despite Zirkzee being slightly improved, he still did not offer enough to the team.

While the defender does claim that the two strikers are not receiving the best service from the team, he also urged them both to step up their games.

“Absolutely, we take the responsibility. I think we played many long balls to [Hojlund and Zirkzee], and for sure it’s tough for them,” the Argentine told reporters.

“Especially because they fight against two centre-backs. The centre-backs here in the Premier League are really difficult.

“[But Hojlund and Zirkzee] have to do better as well. They are really good players, but I think we have to continue [to do] more, and put them in better spaces on the pitch.

“We have to find them in the right places, dangerous places, to make them score.”

Zirkzee and Hojlund’s statistics vs Fulham are damning

Martínez was being kind in his assessment but it is clear that the two strikers need to step up for the team.

Zirkzee has produced some decent performances recently, but those displays also show how far the standard has fallen for the striker at Old Trafford.

There have been some nice pieces of link up play but almost zero danger in the areas of the pitch where it matters. The pair have five Premier League goals between them all season.

The clash against Fulham displayed their difficulties perfectly and Sky Sports produced a damning graphic on their involvement in the game.

You simply cannot be a successful team when neither of your strikers are getting touches in the box or shots at goal. They need to offer more in the final third.

Right now, it feels like Zirkzee has the opportunity to prove himself as a regular starter for Amorim due to Højlund’s poor form.

Neither of them have truly stepped up yet, however, and if nothing changes, they are making one summer signing extremely obvious for the club.

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