Cole: Martial Has Massive Future Ahead

Manchester United legend Andy Cole has heaped praise on Anthony Martial and explained why he is convinced the French no.9 has a “massive future” ahead of him at Old Trafford.

Martial joined the Reds from Monaco in the summer and has impressed supporters ever since, scoring 11 goals in 37 appearances under Louis van Gaal. Of course, the exciting 19-year-old netted his latest strike during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham in the Emirates FA Cup sixth round.

Cole recently spoke about Martial to United Review, the official match programme at Old Trafford, and the 1999 Treble winner was quick to salute the club’s new recruit. “Anthony has been very good since he arrived,” Andy told us. “For such a young man with such a big fee on his head, the way he’s gone about his business has been really, really impressive. He’s had a lot to contend with, with the way this season has gone, but he’s slotted in very well, which is testament to him.

“He is the silver lining so far this season. He came for a lot of money and was an unknown, whichever way you look at it, but the way he’s adapted to the Premier League is brilliant.

“What I like about him is that he’s always prepared to have a go at people. What we don’t see a lot of now, and Jamie Vardy has done this extremely well for Leicester, is strikers who run in behind and stretch defences. You don’t see that a lot in the Premier League any more, but when Martial plays centrally he can do that. And when he gets in the box, he knows how to finish.

"When he plays on the left also, he’s prepared to pick the ball up, run at people and go in behind people. That’s a massive asset in today’s football.”

Martial has mainly played on the left wing this term but has recently been used through the middle with Wayne Rooney currently out injured. Cole believes the youngster will spearhead United’s attack in the long term and likened his situation to Thierry Henry, the France and Arsenal legend who also started out on the flank but became one of the greatest-ever Premier League strikers.

“His understanding of the game is very good for a young man,” Cole continued in United Review. “If you asked Anthony where he wants to play then I think he’d say centre-forward.

"I remember playing against Thierry Henry when he was at Monaco. He was on the wing and you’d just say to yourself, ‘that’s not his position,’ but then when he came to Arsenal he was used as a centre-forward or coming off the left, and he just did his thing. That’s going to be Martial, definitely.

“He’s got the temperament to do just that. He doesn’t strike me as a kid who’s into the high life. He’s a young man who wants to be the best he can be. However, you look at the game now, there are kids in his position who think they’ve already cracked it, but this boy can go all the way to the top, for sure. He’ll have a massive future in the game if he keeps developing.”