Former coach, director of football and top scout, Damien Comolli has spoken of Manchester United’s latest big money signing, Anthony Martial.
Comolli is responsible for bringing Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić and Dimitar Berbatov to Tottenham Hotspur, and for getting Luis Suárez to Liverpool.
Coming from A.S. Monaco, Anthony Martial is one of the world’s best young strikers, is now the most expensive teenager, and should prove to be worth his £36 million transfer fee in the years to come.
With the bookies tipping Charlie Austin to come to United; random rumours of Robben joing up with van Gaal and; the bosses statements that he doesn’t need a striker, the £36 million signing of the French youngster was a shock to everyone, in a good way.
Comolli believes that Martial will be a huge hit for the Red Devils and has compared him to Premier League legend Thierry Henry.
Comolli has said:
“He is mix of Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry. At a young age he has Anelka’s talent to dribble and his technique and at the same time the way he gets in behind defences, and the way he finishes, reminds me a lot of Thierry Henry. He has everything to become a world class striker.”
“The important thing is that he needs to play in a team that suits his style. It would be wrong to sit him on the bench. He can play wide left, but his best position is as a striker but one who plays with a No10 behind him like (Wayne) Rooney.”
“When Thierry was at Arsenal what suited him was that he played in a quick passing team and that is the same with this player. He (Martial) will not be suited to a team that is going to keep possession and builds slowly. He needs quick transitions in order to get in behind defences.”
“What I like about him is that he is someone who wants to win. He will not be bullied by defenders. It is a fantastic purchase and he is going to be a fantastic player providing he gets handled the right way. He is a bright boy. United have to look after him.”
Comolli is absolutely right in describing how Martial would play best. He needs to have Wayne Rooney, one of the best “number 10s” in the world, behind him.
For Martial to reach his potential he has to play. Van Gaal may need to shuffle his formation but it will be worth it. Play him in every game, alongside Wayne Rooney, and both of their goals will increase thus solving United’s goal scoring issues.
If van Gaal has just signed Martial to back up Rooney or wait on the bench for his chance, then he may as well have just stayed in Monaco for another season.
For him to warrant his £36 million transfer fee he needs consistent football; he won’t be amazing straight away but with a bit of patience he will succeed and has the potential to become a legendary Manchester United player.
