GARY NEVILLE HAS admitted he’s been surprised by the instant impact made by Anthony Martial at Man United.
The 19-year-old moved to Old Trafford on transfer deadline day and has already made a significant impression on the Premier League with some sublime performances.
And Neville believes the French teenager is exactly what United were in need of following the departure of Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Javier Hernandez during the summer.
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The striker has already netted four goals in five competitions this term but it’s his all-round game which has caught Neville’s eye the most.
“I was expecting Manchester United to have signed a winger-forward, but what they have actually signed looks like a number nine; someone who can lead the line, and, if he’s not scoring goals and not running in behind, provide a point for attacks – and I never expected that,” the former United defender told Sky Sports.
“In the first three weeks he couldn’t have made any greater impact upon me in terms of how he’s settled in, the goals he’s scored, the threat he’s provided, the transformation of the team, but also the fact that he can physically handle himself, push big men out of the way, hold the ball and turn in one movement.
“That’s the bit that has shocked me and surprised me. It’s early days and he’s still got a lot to do but I think it’s something he should be positive about and United should be positive about.”
Meanwhile, Neville has revealed he would have added Roy Keane to Sir Alex Ferguson’s list of world class players he worked with at Old Trafford.
The former United boss last week said he only managed four world class players during his hugely successful time in charge.
Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo were the players Ferguson singled out but Neville insists Keane and Peter Schmichael also deserve to be on that list.
His fellow Monday Night Football pundit, Jamie Carragher, agreed and he even went as far as suggesting Neville himself deserved more recognition for his playing career.
Gary Neville believes one of Louis van Gaal's summer signings has 'transformed' Man United
GARY NEVILLE HAS admitted he’s been surprised by the instant impact made by Anthony Martial at Man United.
The 19-year-old moved to Old Trafford on transfer deadline day and has already made a significant impression on the Premier League with some sublime performances.
And Neville believes the French teenager is exactly what United were in need of following the departure of Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Javier Hernandez during the summer.
The striker has already netted four goals in five competitions this term but it’s his all-round game which has caught Neville’s eye the most.
“I was expecting Manchester United to have signed a winger-forward, but what they have actually signed looks like a number nine; someone who can lead the line, and, if he’s not scoring goals and not running in behind, provide a point for attacks – and I never expected that,” the former United defender told Sky Sports.
“That’s the bit that has shocked me and surprised me. It’s early days and he’s still got a lot to do but I think it’s something he should be positive about and United should be positive about.”
Meanwhile, Neville has revealed he would have added Roy Keane to Sir Alex Ferguson’s list of world class players he worked with at Old Trafford.
The former United boss last week said he only managed four world class players during his hugely successful time in charge.
Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo were the players Ferguson singled out but Neville insists Keane and Peter Schmichael also deserve to be on that list.
His fellow Monday Night Football pundit, Jamie Carragher, agreed and he even went as far as suggesting Neville himself deserved more recognition for his playing career.
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Anthony Martial Gary Neville Manchester United teenage sensation