Former Manchester United player and fan favourite, Gary Neville, says that new signing Anthony Martial has “transformed the front end of the team.”
Manchester United risked it all on Martial
Martial, who signed for Manchester United towards the end of the summer transfer window, for what was a widely criticised fee of £36 million, potentially rising to £58 million, who had only scored 11 professional goals before his move to Manchester United.
However, the teenage Frenchman won over United fans in his very first game, coming off the bench against Liverpool to score a superb solo goal with his first chance on goal. The goal secured all three points against United’s fiercest of rivals and started Martial’s transition from unknown youngster to a heavily spoken about potential star. Since his superb debut goal the French striker, who has been compared to legends of the game such as Thierry Henry, has now got four goals in five games for Manchester United.
Neville excited by Martial thus far
Gary Neville was extremely impressed with the youngsters’ performances for Manchester United and the abilities he has that he didn’t expect, he went on to explain how he was impressed at how Martial dealt with John O’Shea and Wes Brown. Neville told Sky Sports, “Martial pinned him, turned in one movement, held him off and went past him”.
He goes on to say that he expected United were about to sign a winger turned forward but instead is impressed with how Martial “looks like a No9”.
Martial has filled the void created by departing players
With the departures of Javier Hernandez and Radamel Falcao, Manchester United badly needed another striker but when news broke that they were on the verge of signing Monaco teenager Martial, it was met by anger and shock by the Manchester United fan base and general disbelief by the rest of the footballing world.
While it is still early days with Martial only playing five games so far for his new club, what United have seen so far from the French striker should be a huge encouragement indeed.
