New Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has not been assured he will play as a striker by manager Louis van Gaal.
The 19-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Monaco on transfer deadline day for an initial fee of £36 million (Dh202m) – making him the most expensive teenager in history.
United clearly fancy the former Lyon youngster to develop into a special talent with one of the addons in his deal being a payment to Monaco if he goes on to win the Ballon d’Or.
We compare Martial and Rooney when both players were at the same age #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/eE2QOtnoTU
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Martial, who has linked up with the senior France squad for the first time having scored four times in 12 Under-21 caps, adds much-needed options to Van Gaal’s attacking options but revealed he has not been assured of his preferred central role – a position currently occupied by United skipper Wayne Rooney.
“He (Van Gaal) asked me my preferred position,” Martial said at a press conference ahead of France’s clash with Portugal on Friday. “I prefer to play in the centre but he told me I could play in a number of positions – it is the coach who decides but whatever position I play, I will do the best I can.
“Since I was young people have told me I have the right characteristics to play in England and I’m really keen to develop my game in the English league and prove my worth.”
Martial could make his debut for the Red Devils when rivals Liverpool visit Old Trafford on September 12 and, if selected by Van Gaal, all eyes will be on the precocious talents of the teenager.
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But, having scored 15 goals in 70 appearances for Monaco, Martial insists he is not concerning himself with his record-breaking price tag.
“I don’t know if I’m worth 80million euros but I don’t worry about the sums,” he said.
“I’m going there for the football side of things, the price is between the two clubs and I don’t see myself under any pressure. My family were really happy for me that I’m going to such a big club as Manchester United. They were definitely a bit nervous given my high price but I’m going to stay focused on proving my worth.”
An interview with Martial’s compatriot and new United team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin circulated on deadline day as the midfielder revealed he had to tell Rooney who Martial was.
Schneiderlin said: “Wayne Rooney came to speak to me and asked me who this Martial was, because the English press were starting to really talk about it. ‘Do you know him? What’s he like?’”
But that has not phased Martial – who is looking forward to working alongside the England captain.
“It is normal that Wayne Rooney doesn’t know me,” he added. “I have played a lot in Ligue 1 but I’m happy to go there, he is a big player and next to him I will improve my game a lot.”
