Rooney: "United's Martial is up there with the best in the league"

Former Manchester United forward, captain and current record goalscorer Wayne Rooney has offered his thoughts on the current state of Anthony Martial’s career at Old Trafford. The former AS Monaco player, who was brought to the Premier League in 2015 in a deal initially worth £36m, played alongside Rooney for two years, recording 17 and 8 goals in the 2015/16 and 16/17 seasons respectively, and the former Everton man, who moved to MLS outfit DC United this summer has suggested that Jose Mourinho’s current issues with the Frenchman aren’t all that difficult to solve.”

“I think Martial, ability-wise, is incredible,” said Rooney in an interview with Talksport. “But I think it’s how do you get the best out of him? Knowing Anthony the way I know him I think if you can get the best out of him, he’s up there ability-wise with the best in the league.

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“I think sometimes it is difficult to get to know him as a person, as a character because of the way he is. But I think once you do get to know him, you just keep him happy.”

Rooney’s comments certainly fit in with past reports of Martial struggling to relate to his teammates socially, with the player often described as quiet and difficult to get to know. Mourinho’s problems with Martial seem to be the Portuguese’s lack of faith in his charge’s ability to deliver consistently, and the purchase of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in January suggested as such, given that the Chilean was regarded as a first-choice starter on the left of attack for the rest of the last campaign.

Reports continue to swirl over Martial’s future, with United seemingly ruling out a move to another Premier League club and insisting that if a sale happens, then it will happen to a club on the continent. With just over two weeks to go before the transfer window closes, a resolution will need to be found fast, whatever the outcome of it is.

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