Manchester United Sign Anthony Martial!

[pierrethesnack]

Video of his performance against PSG from the other week. Really worth a watch. He really does seems to have all the raw materials needed to be a top top striker. Very fast, incredibly strong, good touch, can dribble, can hold the ball up, the more I watch of him the more I see why we wanted him to badly. What I like most about his performance here is he looks very strong against Luiz/Silva, he doesn't get physically out muscled at all. I also like the way he's immediately looking to turn and run at the defence the minuet he gets the ball. We've really missed that from our strikers for a number of years.

Nice video, thanks.

Looks like he's really strong, quick of the mark, and has very good technical abilities!

His decision making isn't that good though, but that's to be expected from a young and raw player. I hadn't heard much about him, but I can certainly see why some think he could be truly great.

I really doubt he can make that much of a difference for us this season though - he very much looks like a player who's still trying to find his way. I hope Van Gaal can have the right influence on him.

 

[Litch]

Time will tell but I've seen some players that were a lot of older, more experienced and success elsewhere that failed. We use to be a graveyard of failed forwards. These also cost a lot of money at the time. It's a complete lottery and you need a large slice of luck as well as a load of talent. Let's hope he has both whilst he's here. The monies irrelevant for me cause I'm not writing the cheque.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

He won a header!

feck sake that's a clause activated.

 

[marukomu]

Hopefully, the attacking threat of Martial and Memphis makes more space for Rooney. He needs it.

 

[Reynoldo]

Just remembered after clicking into this thread that I had a dream last night that Martial ripped chelsea a new one when we play them, scored a brace and was involved in the other, we won 3-1! One weekend without the premier league and I'm dreaming about it...how sad am I?

 

[izec]

In this video he looks like a raw prospect you shell out 10m pounds for and grow for two or three years and then unleash. Sorry, but all I see is a very raw young player, I have seen nothing on youtube so far that tells me this guy is a 30m pound signing to go into the first team.

Also Marco Verratti roulette's three opposition players in his own box. The Ligue 1....


These stupid dollar value comments are going to become a thing aren't they...?

He could do that easily in La Liga too. Lets admit it, the guy is phenomenal.

 

[Earthquake]

He could do that easily in La Liga too. Lets admit it, the guy is phenomenal.

Didn't he dick all over Chelsea last season too, despite PSG being a man down?

 

[izec]

Didn't he dick all over Chelsea last season too, despite PSG being a man down?

Yeah, he was excellent in the middle, pulling the strings and just making it look so easy with his decision making and dribbling in tight spaces. He is phenomenal under pressure.

 

[Amadaeus]

I do not know why, but I feel we are massively overrating this lad. He is good, but he has not done anything yet to recieve all these hype. He needs at least a season like Januzaj had under Moyes or better for me to start believing his hype. I am glad we signed him though because we need more natural athlete in our team who is multifunctional, works hard and has pace as a minimum requirement.

 

[Reynoldo]

I do not know why, but I feel we are massively overrating this lad. He is good, but he has not done anything yet to recieve all these hype. He needs at least a season like Januzaj had under Moyes or better for me to start believing his hype. I am glad we signed him though because we need more natural athlete in our team who is multifunctional, works hard and has pace as a minimum requirement.

We are over hyping him definitely, in all probability he will need a year or more to settle to show his worth but we are so light up top I think everyone is just wishing he's one of those rare cases where a step up switches gears in him and he's an instant world beater.

 

[Litch]

Rather than the glass being half empty, that's look at it being half full. Not sure why we eulogise over other teams players yet cast doubt over our own signings. If he signed for Chelsea, there would be people saying why aren't we buying this kind of potential?

 

[pseudo_canadian]

feck sake that's a clause activated.

 

[criticalanalysis]

Okay off topic here but I get the sense the grass is greener on the other side with Verrati. I think he's a very very good player but the skeptic in me says...

Yeah, he was excellent in the middle, pulling the strings and just making it look so easy with his decision making and dribbling in tight spaces. He is phenomenal under pressure.

Anyone watch PSG regularly can tell me what Verrati does/has shown that Herrera can't/hasn't? I'm genuinely curious because of the very little I've seen of Veratti I think he's a very classy player with a great all round skillset/game style, everything which I associate Herrera with. Perhaps he has a deeper tactical understanding (positionally) and discipline but how much is that influenced/helped by his team mates?

Obviously Herrera has years more experience on him but Verrati has a powerhouse energetic box to box Matuidi next to him, the vastly experienced and effective Motta, not to mention a decent centre back pairing behind, attacking full backs, willing channel runners in Cavani/Lavezzi, natural wide players Moura, talisman leader Ibra...etc etc.

I feel Verrati plays more mature and because he's younger, he probably has a higher ceiling but it's obvious to me, Blanc's style is as accommodating as it is assisting (I mean could you imagine him in the Premier League in a midfield two with our current misfiring front 3?). Whilst Herrera can come across as 'too' instinctive/rash, how much is their game and skillset superior/inferior to each other?

Basically what I'm saying is that Herrera has all the tools to be great for us and perhaps his talent is not as utilised because of tactics/player personnel, otherwise others would be talking about Herrera like they are with Verrati.

 

[Amadaeus]

Rather than the glass being half empty, that's look at it being half full. Not sure why we eulogise over other teams players yet cast doubt over our own signings. If he signed for Chelsea, there would be people saying why aren't we buying this kind of potential?

I would laugh at Chelsea if they signed a player who has not accomplished anything in his career for such an amount. Was Martial in any under 20 World Cup for France and won the golden ball? Heck, I would even take any accomplishment from any tournament he has been to as a sign of his talent. It is great to sign potential, but I have seen many players who were supposed to be the next big thing turn into nothing or an average footballer. I am not implying Martial will be one of those player, but with the fee we payed for him, it appears we have a guaranteed world class player at United and I do not see how United have came to that conclusion.

If we are going to stay consistent with our prediction of the next Ballon D'Or winner, then I would love us to take a gamble at Angel Correa for up to £59m. He looks like a hybrid of Aguero and Messi, so he might have a better shot at being a ballon D'Or winner.

 

[Eyepopper]

I would laugh at Chelsea if they signed a player who has not accomplished anything in his career for such an amount.

Like say, when we signed Rooney?

 

[Speak]

Like say, when we signed Rooney?

Rooney was actually in the UEFA 2004 team of the tournament for the Euros, having finished the competition joint second top scorer with 4 goals. He was 18.
Not that I agree with the initial point, but there's an accomplishment right there.

I think he was also England's youngest ever player and goalscorer (17) at the time we bought him.

 

[United again!]

Like say, when we signed Rooney?

No, not like that in any way at all.

 

[Eyepopper]

No, not like that in any way at all.

Rooney was actually in the UEFA 2004 team of the tournament for the Euros, having finished the competition joint second top scorer with 4 goals. He was 18.
Not that I agree with the initial point, but there's an accomplishment right there.

I think he was also England's youngest ever player and goalscorer (17) at the time we bought him.

4 internationals goals means you're worth £27m then... oh wait yeah, he's English.

I haven't seen much of Martial, but he has nothing to do with the fee, he's highly rated by pretty much anyone worth listening to.

Any harm in giving him a chance before we write him off?

 

[Speak]

4 internationals goals means you're worth £27m then... oh wait yeah, he's English.

I haven't seen much of Martial, but he has nothing to do with the fee, he's highly rated by pretty much anyone worth listening to.

Any harm in giving him a chance before we write him off?

Not much of this actually relates to what I said. I never mentioned Martial (I even said I don't agree with the initial point about his accomplishments-fee) and I never said 4 goals made Rooney worth £27 million.
You claimed Rooney also hadn't accomplished anything, and I pointed out that he had.

 

[Eyepopper]

Not much of this actually relates to what I said. I never mentioned Martial (I even said I don't agree with the initial point about his accomplishments-fee) and I never said 4 goals made Rooney worth £27 million.
You claimed Rooney also hadn't accomplished anything, and I pointed out that he had.

Ok lamb, calm your waters, I'll have my PR department issue an unreserved apology in the morning.


It'd just be nice to see people wait til they see him kick a ball for us before the lambaste the signing....

 

[Amadaeus]

Like say, when we signed Rooney?

Rooney was on a different level than Martial before we signed him and he has accomplished several things to make his price not much of a gamble.

 

[Speak]

Ok lamb, calm your waters, I'll have my PR department issue an unreserved apology in the morning.


It'd just be nice to see people wait til they see him kick a ball for us before the lambaste the signing....

Yep. Agreed.

 

[Eyepopper]

Rooney was on a different level than Martial before we signed him and he has accomplished several things to make his price not much of a gamble.

Watch loads of French football do you?

I remember the Rooney signing, and I remember the club being laughed at for spending that amount on an unproven striker.

I guess the difference between 'fans' and 'supporters' is becoming more clear as time goes on.

What were the 'several' things Rooney had achieved as a matter of interest? We've already covered 4 goals at the Euros so take it from there.

 

[Eyepopper]

Wikipedia currently being hammered.

 

[bosnian_red]

Why the feck are people still obsessing over the price? When will people realize we have the money to spend whatever we like on a player if we want them. The club (and many other clubs) think that Martial will become a top player and has huge potential, so we got him at any price basically just so we can get him this summer. The price we paid is irrelevant, all that matters is how he will play for us. If he has a positive impact, then he'll be worth it.

 

[Amadaeus]

Watch loads of French football do you?

I remember the Rooney signing, and I remember the club being laughed at for spending that amount on an unproven striker.

I guess the difference between 'fans' and 'supporters' is becoming more clear as time goes on.

What were the 'several' things Rooney had achieved as a matter of interest? We've already covered 4 goals at the Euros so take it from there.

I am capable of formulating an opinion based of pundits who has seen him play regularly and has labelled this deal a gamble. Moreover, even though I m not a supporter of Monaco, I have watched enough games through champion leagues and some games against Lyon, psg and Marseille to assess his talent, amongst other sources like Video analysis.

I do not know who would be stupid enough to laugh at Rooney then after his accomplishment and performance in the Euros and at Everton, becoming English youngest international to make a debut, winning the young sport personality of the year, and becoming the youngest goal scorer in the history of the Euros. All of this before the age of 19, which says a lot.

 

[bosnian_red]

I am capable of formulating an opinion based of pundits who has seen him play regularly and has labelled this deal a gamble. Moreover, even though I m not a supporter of Monaco, I have watched enough games through champion leagues and some games against Lyon, psg and Marseille to assess his talent, amongst other sources like Video analysis.

I do not know who would be stupid enough to laugh at Rooney then after his accomplishment and performance in the Euros and at Everton, becoming English youngest international to make a debut, winning the young sport personality of the year, and becoming the youngest goal scorer in the history of the Euros. All of this before the age of 19, which says a lot.

Which pundits? The english ones who almost definitely seen him play like 3 times? Or all the french pundits who actually watch him regularly and journos who think he is the next Henry and one of the biggest talents in the world?

 

[United again!]

I remember the Rooney signing, and I remember the club being laughed at for spending that amount on an unproven striker.

Where? And by who?... Newcastle offered the same amount, would you have laughed at them at the time?

 

[Amadaeus]

Which pundits? The english ones who almost definitely seen him play like 3 times? Or all the french pundits who actually watch him regularly and journos who think he is the next Henry and one of the biggest talents in the world?

you can believe who you want to believe, but some of those French pundits claimed Gourcouff was the next Zidane. The sensible pundits, I have heard says their is a risk and that the one I rather believe than the one who is willing to overhype a player who has yet to accomplish anything noteworthy.

 

[Speak]

Rooney broke goal-scoring records in every team and competition he was a part of. And he had a very good Euro 2004, where he ended up second top scorer.
Anyone in this country who laughed at the fee was either sleeping during the Euros or was laughing as some sort of method to mask their fear.

I saw somebody claim it's crazy to bracket a young Martial with a young Welbeck. Going by that - and looking at what Rooney had achieved at 18 - it's just as crazy to bracket a young Rooney with a young Martial.

This is absolutely more risky than the Rooney deal/fee. But it's still exciting. Young, pricey forwards always are.

 

[United again!]

Rooney broke goal-scoring records in every team and competition he was a part of. And he had a very good Euro 2004, where he ended up second top scorer.
Anyone in this country who laughed at the fee was either sleeping during the Euros or was laughing as some sort of method to mask their fear.

I saw somebody claim it's crazy to bracket a young Martial with a young Welbeck. Going by that - and looking at what Rooney had achieved at 18 - it's just as crazy to bracket a young Rooney with a young Martial.

This is absolutely more risky than the Rooney deal/fee. But it's still exciting. Young, pricey forwards always are.

Well said, no idea why people are comparing him to Rooney. If our manager were anyone but Van Gaal I'd be salivating. You know the straitjacket is in his locker ready to wear on debut.

 

[RedRonaldo]

He is raw but I'd say his potential is huge too. Rarely can you find a teenager who is as strong, fast, skillful, multifunctional, hardworking and exciting as he is.
But like all young players he is raw and his decision making isn't good yet. Its hard to tell and its a gamble. I once thought Zaha will become good too, oh well.

 

[dsch]

Well said, no idea why people are comparing him to Rooney. If our manager were anyone but Van Gaal I'd be salivating. You know the straight jacket is in his locker ready to wear on debut.

The caricature has truly stuck, then.

Also, it's straitjacket.

 

[United again!]

The caricature has truly stuck, then.

Also, it's straitjacket.

Cheers.

 

[buckooo1978]

Video of his performance against PSG from the other week. Really worth a watch. He really does seems to have all the raw materials needed to be a top top striker. Very fast, incredibly strong, good touch, can dribble, can hold the ball up, the more I watch of him the more I see why we wanted him to badly. What I like most about his performance here is he looks very strong against Luiz/Silva, he doesn't get physically out muscled at all. I also like the way he's immediately looking to turn and run at the defence the minuet he gets the ball. We've really missed that from our strikers for a number of years.

good video - thanks for sharing - he certainly looks like he has the physical and technical attributes - the way he rolled David Luiz in one part and glided away from him with ease was promising

read something interesting about him just now too - married already - must be a grounded lad?

 

[Litch]

investing in the so called proven players.....well the MOM in the CL final and the player that's scored goals for fun everywhere he's played (aside from here incidentally) cost us in losses virtually the same including their wages as the Martial's fee in ONE season.....let's wait till he's kick a ball a few times in the prem and CL in a Utd shirt before making our judgement.

That aside, 30m for a left back anyone???? Oh it's ok cause he's English and the rhetoric is 'he'll be our left back for the next 10 years'.....cheap then eh?

 

[Jerch]

That aside, 30m for a left back anyone???? Oh it's ok cause he's English and the rhetoric is 'he'll be our left back for the next 10 years'.....cheap then eh?

I think this will prove as one of the best transfers ever...

 

[Nighteyes]

Rooney is a good comparison, as is Ronaldo for that matter even if Martial cost a bit more than both of them.

The difference I fear are the circumstances surrounding the transfer and well, the manager in charge. Rooney and Ronaldo could both be incredibly frustrating and downright infuriating when we signed them but they were both allowed to grow as players and learn from their mistakes and eventually become hugely important players for us. They had little to no competition for their place while doing this. Rooney's competition was the likes of Smith and a young Rossi while Ronaldo had Fletcher and Richardson.

Look at Januzaj. Excellent breakthrough season but since then we've done nothing but impede his progress into the team by making big multiple big money signings. What's that done is ensured that unless Januzaj is United quality straight off the bat he's not going to get the necessary chances here to improve as a player. What happens if Martial is not an immediate success (as is very likely to be the case)? Given our recent history, my guess is we'll fork out another 50m on a player somewhere and move on. Not necessarily the club's fault as the league is a lot more competitive now but I'm not a fan of how things are atm with the club.

 

[buckooo1978]

investing in the so called proven players.....well the MOM in the CL final and the player that's scored goals for fun everywhere he's played (aside from here incidentally) cost us in losses virtually the same including their wages as the Martial's fee in ONE season.....let's wait till he's kick a ball a few times in the prem and CL in a Utd shirt before making our judgement.

That aside, 30m for a left back anyone???? Oh it's ok cause he's English and the rhetoric is 'he'll be our left back for the next 10 years'.....cheap then eh?

John Stones bids rejected at 35 odd million
Sterling for 50
De Bruyne for even more

with this new TV deal next summer is going to be crazy......we will see players like Ross Barkley going for stupid fees like 40/50 million if he has a decent season - its could spiral out of control

for the next 5 years we could well see a bigger proportion best players in the world playing in the Premier League

I think the best thing to do with Martial is just forget the fee.....it's just a random number agreed between two teams

 

[VorZakone]

Looked him up on YT and I was impressed, think he can become a very good player.