Gary Neville can be a hard man to please.
That’s what gives his praise of Manchester United’s £36m newboy Anthony Martial even more significance.
Despite his eye-popping price tag, the 19-year-old Monaco man has been a revelation at Old Trafford, scoring five goals in his first four games.
Stars like Wayne Rooney have been lining up to praise the impact of the teenage forward in the embryonic stages of his United career.
But Neville admits he has been taken by surprise by just how good the lad is.
“He’s made a big difference,” Neville told Sky Sports. “He’s transformed the front end of the team.
“When he signed we knew he was going to be an exciting signing but we didn’t think he would settle in so quickly.
“I watched him on Saturday and what actually shocked me in the game was the elements of the game I did not expect.
“He was playing against John O’Shea and Younes Kaboul, both six foot two, both strong lads, both physical. I was expecting him to get pushed off the ball.
“John O’Shea was giving him a right nudge in the back, [but] He [Martial] pinned him, turned in one movement, held him off and went past him.”
But it’s the impact on the whole team that has left Neville most in awe of the young star.
“I was expecting Manchester United to have signed a winger-forward,” he said.”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.
“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.”
