Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes Anthony Martial’s ability to continue his stunning start at Old Trafford could depend on how well he settles into his first home in England.
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The 19-year-old has scored four goals in his first four appearances and would become the first United player to score in his first three Premier League games if he finds the net again against Sunderland on Saturday.
Van Gaal is delighted with how Martial has handled the pressure surrounding his high profile move but believes he has been helped so far by living in a Manchester hotel.
He said: “He’s still living in a hotel. It’s the first phase of his adaptation.
“He is coming in to do his training sessions, eat with the players and prepare for matches so it’s more or less the same rhythm he had when he was at Monaco – except for living in the hotel.
“That’s also a protected area. The big step will come when he settles with his wife in a new house and a new environment.”
Another of United’s young strikers penned a new deal on Friday with James Wilson signing a four-year contract at the club.
After completing the extension Van Gaal told the teenage striker he would have to wait until December for a decision on whether he should go out on loan.
Elsewhere, Swansea travel to Southampton hoping to put their midweek League Cup woes behind them. Gary Monk’s men crashed out at the third-round stage with a 1-0 defeat at Hull.
Saints – Monk’s former club – by contrast, won 6-0 on their trip to Championship opposition, but now need to replicate the form shown against MK Dons in the league.
West Ham will hope to continue their remarkable run of form with the visit of Norwich and Hammers defender Winston Reid has praised the effect Slaven Bilic has had at the club since taking over as manager this summer.
“Most importantly, the new manager came in with new ideas that are easily understood. He’s a great communicator,” Reid said. “He likes to get hands on in training which is good. He’s very engaging and the players like working for him.”
Bournemouth travel to Stoke City in today’s other fixture with the hosts winless so far.
