'Have to do better' - Lisandro Martinez sends message to Manchester United strikers

It has been nine games since a striker last found the back of the net for Manchester United, but Craven Cottage match-winner Lisandro Martinez believes Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee's drought isn't solely due to their own failings in front of goal.

The forwards are having disappointing seasons, with Hojlund scoring seven goals in 28 games and Zirkzee four in 33 appearances. The Dane had a nightmare evening against Fulham and has now gone 11 games without a goal. Zirkee's strike at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup in December was nine games ago and is the last time either scored for the club.

Hojlund complained of the service he received in the early stages at Fulham, and his teammates failed to create a chance for him in his 58 minutes on the pitch. Zirkee also had no opportunities to end his own goal drought. That left it to Martinez to fire in a shot that deflected off Sasa Lukic to hand United a vital victory.

The Argentine has now scored two goals in his last five games, and while he is happy to share the burden, he is aware that Hojlund and Zirkzee must offer more, but also thinks they are being let down by the service they are getting,

"We take the responsibility, and I think we played many long balls to them, and for them, it’s really tough. They fight against two centre-backs, and the centre-backs here in the Premier League are really difficult to win something," said Martinez.

"But they have to do better as well. They are really good players, but we have to contribute more and put them in better space or place on the pitch. We have to find them in the right places and dangerous places to make them score."

Martinez's goal took a wicked deflection to send it looping over Bernd Leno, but it again came when he was