Anthony Martial will make his 30th appearance for Manchester United against Chelsea on Sunday.

It’s not often you can say with any certainty that a 20 year old will definitely start for United. But barring a training ground injury or a freak accident, the Frenchman will play at Stamford Bridge. That’s how much Louis van Gaal has already come to rely on him.

United have a history of putting faith in young players – either ones they’ve promoted from the academy or those they’ve signed. But few have had the immediate impact of Martial.

Against Stoke on Tuesday night, Martial played for the club he joined from Monaco on deadline day for the 29th time, making his 26th start.

Wayne Rooney, signed from Everton as an 18 year old in 2004, also started 26 of his first 29 games for United, although he didn’t reach the 30-game milestone until March while Martial will hit it in early February. Of Cristiano Ronaldo’s first 29 games in his first season at United, he only managed 17 starts.

Anthony Martial's start (2015/16) 29 Appearances 26 Starts 9 Goals

Martial’s goal return is also ahead of Ronaldo’s at the same stage of his United career. His goal against Stoke at Old Trafford was his ninth for United while Ronaldo had only scored twice by the time he had played for the 29th time.

Rooney, on course to break the club’s goalscoring record after moving to within five of Sir Bobby Charlton’s record against Stoke, was ahead of both Martial and Ronaldo with 15 in his first 29 games.

Cristiano Ronaldo's start (2003/04) 29 Appearances 17 Starts 2 Goals

It’s worth noting that Rooney predominantly played as a striker during his first season in 2004/05 while Martial, like Ronaldo in 2003/04, has often found himself out wide as he was against Stoke.

Martial has a lot to do to be as successful as Rooney and Ronaldo at United.

Wayne Rooney's start (2004/05) 29 Appearances 26 Starts 15 Goals

Into his 12th season at Old Trafford, Rooney still boasts a goalscoring rate of close to a goal every other game while Ronaldo scored 42 goals in 49 games in 2007/08 to lead United to a league and Champions League double and left a year later as the world’s most expensive footballer.

He is, though, on track to match those goalscoring feats.

It is, of course, another thing to actually do it, but only a few months into his United career he looks like he could become the player his fee suggests he could be.

Watch: LVG on Anthony Martial's form.