We identified Anthony Martial as the 'dangerman': Alan Pardew

Anthony Martial (R) has been a revelation since his move to United in the summer

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has revealed that his players did whatever they could to stop Manchester United forward Anthony Martial on Saturday, as he was seen as the main threat, Goal reported. The Eagles stopped United from scoring for a third consecutive match as they played a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Ever since the Frenchman joined the Red Devils from AS Monaco on the transfer deadline day, he has been impressive scoring 3 league goals in 6 appearances, including the winner against their fiercest rivals Liverpool earlier this season.

In recent games, Martial and his attacking partners have been struggling in front of goal and their goalless draw against the Eagles on Saturday marked the third successive match in where they have failed to score. United boss Van Gaal had admitted in the post-match interview that his side were ‘poor and had created nothing’.

When Martial joined United, Van Gaal deployed him as the main striker and he flourished in the central role. In the past few games, the Dutch man has opted to play captain Wayne Rooney in the striker’s role and the Frenchman has been pushed out wide.

Against Palace on Saturday, Martial began the game out wide before switching to a more central role. but to no avail. Pardew and his men were wary of his pace and threat up front right before the game. Pardew has revealed that his side had targeted the French youngster as United’ s main threat and they did well to deny him of his goalscoring chances.

“We didn't give Martial an inch,” he told reporters in his post-match interview.

“Not an inch.”

“It was a big target for us to stop him and we felt that if we could stop him we could stop their creative angle.”

“And when you take into account his age, that's some recommendation.”

“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, he'll have to be very, very careful, the Manchester United manager, to keep his exuberance there.

“Because we're all looking to stop him.”

Rooney lacked service: Pardew

While Martial is making headlines with his stunning performances, his teammate and skipper Rooney has been going through a rough patch this season. Many of the Old Trafford faithful have been demanding the manager to drop him in the upcoming games.

Rooney’s poor form continued at London when he put on another quiet display, but Palace manager has defended England’s all-time leading goalscorer and has insisted that he lacked service from the midfield during the game.

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

“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.”