No Holding Martial Back

Anthony Martial scored twice on his first Barclays Premier League start, against Southampton, and it continues his fine form since joining the Reds.

It's three goals in three games now for the 19-year-old Frenchman – in fact, when he found the net for the second time at St Mary's on Sunday it was his third shot in the league.

He came off the bench and scored a superb goal in the win over Liverpool at Old Trafford last time on domestic duty and, named in the starting line-up for the first time in the league, he proved it was no fluke against the Saints.

The first goal drew the scores level after Graziano Pelle had given the home side the lead. It was a brilliant, cool-as-you-like turn that teed up a shooting opportunity from close-range and he kept his composure to finish the job. His second put United 2-1 ahead and was predatory in nature as he punished a sloppy Southampton backpass and coolly slotted the ball home.

Morgan Schneiderlin was impressed with what he saw at St Mary's and when asked what Martial is like as a person and player, he said: "It’s like you see in the game – he is very calm, very relaxed. He is an amazing talent. He came to the Premier League and he scores and he wants to do his best.

"He’s a very intelligent guy, very calm. Today he showed great composure and great skill and power. He will be a great player for the future of Manchester United.”

Louis van Gaal added: "It is true [he has made a good start] but the problem is that he is 19 years old and you cannot expect consistency from him, but he has played three matches in a row at a remarkably high level and he scores goals, which is also important.”

Martial was voted Man of the Match by United fans on Twitter, with 50% of the votes in @ManUtd's poll going to the Frenchman. He beat the equally impressive David De Gea (45%), who made a string of fine saves to preserve the Reds' lead. While Schneiderlin completed the voting with 5%.