“He is mix of Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry,” said Damien Comolli, Liverpool’s former director of football. “At a young age he has Anelka’s talent to dribble and his technique and at the same time the way he gets in behind defences, and the way he finishes, reminds me a lot of Thierry Henry. “He has everything to become a world class striker.” Whether Martial, just 19 and now the world’s most expensive teenager, fulfils his potential is very much in the hands of United coach Louis van Gaal. Comolli believes United should not be afraid to immediately immerse Martial, who moved to Monaco when he was 17 from Lyon, straight into the cut and thrust of the Premier League. But he feels he will only be suited to Van Gaal’s side if they release the ball early and perform at a high tempo.

“The important thing is that he needs to play in a team that suits his style,” said Comolli, who helped sign Luis Suarez at Liverpool and Gareth Bale during his stint as director of football at Tottenham. “It would be wrong to sit him on the bench. He can play wide left, but his best position is as a striker but one who plays with a No10 behind him like (Wayne) Rooney. “When Thierry was at Arsenal what suited him was that he played in a quick passing team and that is the same with this player. “He (Martial) will not be suited to a team that is going to keep possession and builds slowly. He needs quick transitions in order to get in behind defences. “What I like about him is that he is someone who wants to win. He will not be bullied by defenders. It is a fantastic purchase and he is going to be a fantastic player providing he gets handled the right way. “He is a bright boy. United have to look after him.”

GETTY Anthony Martial is blessed with great pace