It is now perhaps a distant memory for some, but there was something unique in that glaring grin on his face and those shimmering lips of Manchester United’s then-manager Louis van Gaal that went on to hail Anthony Martial’s debut goal against Liverpool as ‘marvellous‘.
He was surely amazed by what he had seen from his new summer signing, so were hundreds and thousands of other spectators present in the stands of the ‘Theater of Dreams’.
The goal from the substitute against Liverpool at the 86th-minute of the game not only helped the Red Devils secure a thumping 3-1 win against the Merseyside rivals but also saw the then-teenage Frenchman bagging a heap of plaudits from here and there.
At least the £36 million initial transfer fee that United had paid to AS Monaco to secure his services did seem to be the money spent on a good cause.
No many come to the Premier League from abroad and score on their debut.
‘Anthony was still very young, just a kid – I think he was 17 years old at that time – but you could already see that he was a special player with lots of class and lots of talent. The kid was a natural.’, as Sergio Romero reckoned.
There have been some difficulties, some hurdles, some comments from critics that could make any inspired person depressed. But Martial has stood firm over the years, proving his traits bit by bit, and evolving his game with each passing year.
And now, with a former striker in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being the mentor, Martial has revolutionised his playing style and is now aspired to provide the club with his prosperous services for the foreseeable future.
Talking about United’s association with French players, it certainly seems to be a connection made in heaven.
Over the years, the respective nation has had gifted United so many bright talents, some revolutionary prodigies, and especially some captain materials.
Eric Cantona, Mikael Silvestre, Laurent Blanc, Louis Saha, and Patrice Evra — these are French names that lifted or helped Manchester United lift countless titles.
And then, there is no way to ignore the Red Devils’ record signing Paul Pogba, who returned to the red side of Manchester to re-live the romantic, warm and thrilling atmosphere of Old Trafford.
And this might not be the end of the road for the United-France link as something sparkling is brewing in the backyard of the Mancunian camp.
As per the French tier 1 journalist in Mohamed Bouhafsi, Manchester United are looking to bring in more talented youth products from France over the next few years, meaning United have a long-term plan in their mind.
Speaking in an interview with Stretford Paddock, Bouhafsi clarified that Manchester United scouts in France have been eagerly doing their job, and United might witness the result in the future.
Over the last decade or so, France has had made their name in the global platform differently, becoming a gold mine for youth prospects and aspiring talents. In addition, they won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with several youngsters in the squad.
The French national team keep giving opportunities to their young talents, with the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Boubakary Soumaré, Yacine Adli, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and some others remaining the leading names providing the senior group of players worthy competition for places in the French national team.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have had made some eye-catching signings in order to bulk up their youth ranks.
This summer, their main objective was to rack up some names from Spain, with United having added the likes of Marc Jurado from Barcelona, Alvaro Fernandez from Real Madrid, Alejandro Garnacho from Atletico Madrid.
And if the reports made by the French journalist are to be true, the next summer might see United snapping up some equally-talented youths from France.
For now, there is no chance of progression regarding that concept as the hectic summer transfer is just over.
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