Has Anthony Martial Lived Up to His 36M Manchester United Price Tag?

Anthony Martial’s arrival at Manchester United was confusing. The Red Devils had spent all summer being linked with huge global stars such as Thomas Muller, Neymar and Gareth Bale in the Daily Express, among others.

Then, when push came to shove, in what was widely perceived to be a move born of desperation, they spent an initial £36 million on a teenager. A teenager only those most closely following European football were familiar with. A teenager with whom they had not previously been linked.

A teenager who, as it turns out, has been worth every penny.

Martial’s immediate arrival on the United stage could not have been more perfect. Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal played down expectations, saying he was a purchase designed for the benefit of the “next manager,” per Sky Sports.

However, when the France international skipped onto the Old Trafford turf as a substitute against archrivals Liverpool in September, it became abundantly clear the benefits of Martial’s presence would be felt in the short term too.

After taking a few minutes to hit his stride, having been a little isolated at first, he picked up the ball on the left, danced through Liverpool’s defence and brushed a side-footed finish into the far corner of the net.

Martin Tyler, commentating on the game for Sky Sports, struck the perfect tone. With genuine excitement, he exclaimed (h/t the Daily Star): “Ohhh yes! Welcome to Manchester United! Anthony Martial!” In an instant, the value-to-price ratio of his transfer fee began to look a lot more favourable. 

Perhaps this was not a hastily scouted, desperate roll of the dice on a player who, up to that point in the season, had managed one shot and none on target in three appearances for AS Monaco. Perhaps United had got this one right.

No U21 player has scored more Premier League goals this season than Anthony Martial (10).Golden boy. pic.twitter.com/O0fwMWqJFJ

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 10, 2016

What followed has been as close to definitive proof of the latter as one season can be. He sits on 17 goals in all competitions. When he signed, as a classic one-for-the-future purchase, that would have seemed a superb return.

Even after his early impact—scoring four times in his first four games—20 goals seemed a realistic target, and he will at least come close to hitting that. 

All of this has been achieved in spite of the fact he has played at centre-forward a lot less often than would have been …

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