Phil Neville: Martial Is An 'Absolute Bargain'

Manchester United legend Phil Neville believes Anthony Martial could become one of the best strikers in world football and has described the summer signing as an “absolute bargain”.

The France international joined the Reds from AS Monaco on transfer deadline day and immediately enamoured himself to supporters by scoring the final goal in a 3-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Martial has since scored against Southampton (2), Ipswich Town and CSKA Moscow to take his personal tally to five goals in 13 appearances in all competitions. However, it is his all-round ability and excellent contribution to Louis van Gaal’s team that has impressed many observers and pundits.

Neville is currently a coach with Valencia and came across Martial when the La Liga contenders beat Monaco 4-3 in this season’s Champions League play-off round. Clearly impressed, the Treble-winner predicted great things for the player and has been pleased by his progress at Old Trafford so far.

"From the very first time I saw him early in the season, when we [Valencia] played Monaco in the Champions League qualifying rounds, he was someone who was devastating against us," Neville explains in a video posted on his personal Twitter account. "Every time he got the ball he made me nervous; he made our defenders nervous because he likes to turn and he likes to dribble.

"What I think he brings most to this Manchester United team is genuine speed and speed on the counter-attack, like we saw against Everton when they went to Goodison Park and won, as well as speed when United play a passing football style under Louis van Gaal.

"He has brought genuine speed to the team, he is strong and he is quick. People question the amount of money that van Gaal paid but I think United have got an absolute bargain and his style suits the Premier League. I think there is more to come. He is still young, he still learning and there is more to come from this striker, who I think could become one of the best in the world."