Anthony Martial had not scored in nine Premier League games for United prior to Saturday's defeat by Norwich

Thierry Henry believes Anthony Martial is being played too wide at Manchester United, and should be their main striker at all times.

Martial had not scored in the Premier League for nine games prior to Saturday's defeat by Norwich, having made a blistering start to his United career with four goals in four games.

And Henry, the forward Martial had been compared to upon his arrival at Old Trafford for £36m from Monaco in September, says his compatriot should be the focal point of attack.

Martial's touch map from the first-half of United's defeat by Norwich on Saturday

Drawing on Martial's position out wide during an attack and his first-half touch map in United's 2-1 defeat by Norwich on Saturday, Henry said on Monday Night Football: "What are you doing here? I actually do not know what he is doing there.

"He should be there [in the penalty area], having a one versus one, scoring and celebrating. Is it fear? Is it because they have been brainwashed a bit too much? I just don't get it.

"They wanted a guy who scored goals. They wanted a guy to run in behind fast. He came in and did that. Suddenly now he finds himself out there, almost not touching the ball.

"I think if I had a player like that, he would be my No 9 and the rest are around him."

Martial played wide right for United on Saturday, but Thierry Henry believes he should be their No 9

Pressure is building on manager Louis van Gaal, with United out of the Champions League and now out of the Premier League top four.

Carragher echoed Henry's words regarding Martial, while suggesting the 20-year-old's disciplined position out wide is a product of Van Gaal's instructions.

"The interesting thing is that's the instruction from Van Gaal, to stay wide," said Carragher. "Let's not forget, he is a centre forward slash winger, so normally you would be expect him to make those runs inside.

Martial started his United career with four goals in four games

"But he's had so much instruction now, that he has stayed out wide. That touch map is from a [Jesus] Navas of Man City, someone who hugs the touchline, tries to beat the full back and put a cross in.

"You see how many touches he has had? Not one touch in the box, and just the one cross. So he's not even pulling wide and doing damage.

"And that all comes from the instruction of the manager, and why Man United never look like scoring in the game."