Manchester United have had a rich history of buying youngsters and then taking them to the next level, like they did with Cristiano Ronaldo. However, in recent years the academy has not produced a top class player, so naturally questions were being asked about the club’s youth policy. Also, people were busy pointing out at how Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City, all had better youth team setups than ours. Amidst all the criticism however, Louis van Gaal and Ed Woodward went forward to splash 35 million pounds on Anthony Martial, a 20 year old French forward from AS Monaco last summer.
Most experts blatantly labelled it as a “panic buy” and “useless acquisition”, but United’s hierarchy knew better. Someone at the club had been watching him for more than a year, and despite Real Madrid, Chelsea and Juventus all keeping tabs on him, the striker joined the Red Devils by becoming one of the most expensive young footballer in the world.
Martial had only 14 goals in 36 appearances for his previous clubs in Franxe, and critics doubted if he could ever really settle in a much more physical, competitive and pacier environment which is the Premier League. However, he quickly proved all his detractors wrong with a stunning solo goal against Liverpool on his debut at Old Trafford. And since then, there has been no looking back for United’s new no. 9.
Martial’s greatest ability is his tactical flexibility and ball control, something which has seen him flourish both as a forward and as a left winger. As a striker, he excelled at not only playing directly but also in holding up the ball for others to come into a play. As a winger, his sublime balance and skill sees him cut inside and put in crosses or curlers at the far post regularly. 9 goals in 32 appearances including back-to-back man of the match performances against Stoke City and Chelsea recently has seen him come back to his very best, after somewhat of a slump midway.
The former Olympique Lyon forward has struck up a very good understanding with United’s no. 10 and team captain Wayne Rooney, and one hopes their partnership only reaps rich dividends for the side as we look to reestablish ourselves as English footballing giants once again.
If history is anything to go buy, the Red Devils surely have found a successor to the likes of Van Nistelrooy and Andy Cole. However, because young talent has a tendency to fizz out easily, as it happened to the likes of Tom Cleverly and Danny Welbeck in recent years, one must also be very careful.
Martial may have the world at his feet right now, but it doesnt really take long for the media and the fans to turn into avowed critics. However, given the maturity Anthony already possesses at such a young age, something which is reflected both on and off the pitch, one can only predict the best for him. He has it in him to be United’s next big thing.
