Souness compares 'unreliable' Martial to Pogba; says United, jobs at Ajax 'are a world apart'

Graeme Souness insists Anthony Martial is too 'random' to play for Manchester United and that Erik ten Hag cannot be counted on.

The Red Devils started the season in the worst possible way as they were outplayed and beaten by Brighton at Old Trafford.

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New manager Ten Hag had a selection headache for the game after Martial picked up an injury during the week.

The French striker has started much of pre-season up front and with Cristiano Ronaldo unaware after 45 minutes of friendly action before the club's Premier League opener, Ten Hag has chosen to cast Christian Eriksen in a false nine role.< /p>

The loss to Brighton wasn't just due to Ten Hag's lack of attacking options, but that certainly didn't help.

Unsurprisingly, questions are already being asked about the Dutch coach and his players and Souness believes he 'needs time' but may not be given it.

"Erik ten Hag had a good career at Ajax, but managing at Ajax and managing at United are a world apart," he told talkSPORT. p>

“Ajax have always been one of the best teams in the Netherlands and always will be. If they don't win the league, they finish second.

"Coming to Man United, at a very difficult time in their history, is a difficult task. He needs time, but time is not your friend as a manager."

Souness went on to say that Ten Hag has to rely on players who have been at the club for a while and never showed they were good enough to play for the Red Devils, like Martial.

The former Liverpool midfielder believes the 26-year-old has proven he 'can't handle the pressure' of being a United player.

Moreover, Souness insists that Martial 'pick and choose' when he wants to play well, much like the club's former midfielder Paul Pogba, who left on a free transfer in the summer.

"You're looking to make an immediate impact, but how do you achieve that? Unless you have a special group of players, you have to buy players," Souness continued.

"But they haven't really brought in game changers. So now the manager is relying on players already there and you're looking at someone like Anthony Martial.

"How many opportunities is this young man going to have to become a Manchester United player? He has already proved to me that he is not for Man United.

"He can't handle the pressure of playing at Man United. It's like Paul Pogba. In both, I see real players, I see a quality that few players have.

"But it's on their terms and they choose when they use it. When you play for a big club, you can't be like that.

"When you are at a big club, you play a cup final every week. These players are not ready for that, they are not ready for the fight.

"It's no use being a great player in training or being a great player once every six or seven games. You're at a great club because you want to win things and get up. challenges all the time.

"With these players, you won't. Simply put, they're shady, not people you can count on, ultimately.

"I don't think you can rely on Martial anymore, not that you ever will. He was far too risky."