The blockbuster signing for Manchester United did not turn out to be Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar, oh no, United broke the record for the most expensive teenager after the spent £36 million on 19-year-old Anthony Martial from Monaco. No one really knew how this came out to be as most people don’t believe that Martial was top of United’s wish list but he has been signed and this reminds most people of the time when United spend a bucket load to get another teenager into their team, almost a decade ago.
We are alluding to Wayne Rooney moving from Everton to United quite a few years back. Rooney though was born and brought up in the English style of football and had the physicality to do well in this sort of game, Martial though isn’t the most physical player out there and that could be a problem for the most expensive teenager in the world of football.
Potential to be the next Rooney?
Many are predicting that United have gambled on someone so young, especially a player who hasn’t really proved himself in France, Manchester United though have signed one of the most exciting French players to come out from the league. He has only managed 15 goals from 72 games in all competitions in Ligue 1 for Lyon and Monaco.
Based on reports, he has great technical ability and is blessed with great speed, the only problem with his game is that he is a little lightweight which will not be in his favour as this league is tougher than the Ligue 1. He has been compared to Thierry Henry with his ability to play on the wing and he cuts in on his right foot to have a pop at goal.
Can he become the next Wayne Rooney? Well no one really knew how good Rooney would be but there was a lot more known about the English attacker than the French striker. Rooney was built to play in the Premier League from day one, does Martial seem like someone who can survive in the Premier League? He does have the pace to cause a lot of trouble to defences and that will be his greatest asset as he starts his Manchester United career.
Wayne Rooney in 77 games for Everton scored 17 goals, so Martial’s return is almost the same as that of Rooney. It will be interesting to see just how the young French striker does for Louis van Gaal, was this a great signing for a player who can turn United into title contenders or was this a panic buy which will cost United on the pitch as well? Only time can tell what really happens.
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