Anthony Martial To Manchester United: A Move Out Of Desperation Or Necessity?

And out of the blue, Manchester United spent a load of cash on an unknown youngster who only has had one or two shining performances in his short career. Sounds a little familiar doesn’t it? Well, Manchester United pulled off the most surprising transfer this season with the capture of the highly rated yet known quantity that is Anthony Martial.

It wasn’t that United bought a player who was just starting to show how good he is in Ligue 1 but it was the price that United have paid that shocked everyone. The Red Devils stumped out £36 million for the 19-year-old striker and that fee could rise based on performances by the youngster, he is at the moment, the most expensive teenager in the history of football, big shoes to fill.

Potential is not required at Manchester United

Had you asked any Manchester United supporter in the transfer window as to what they exactly needed, they would have said a striker and a central defender, well they did get a striker but he certainly isn’t a world beater, he isn’t even the top striker in Ligue 1. The funny thing about all this is the fact that United could have signed other players, who are world class and probably would have strengthened the team more than the 19-year-old.

What United have at the moment is talent but more than that it is the potential to be world class. This seems slightly similar to the amount they paid to get Wayne Rooney from Everton and that has worked out really well for them but Rooney had played in the Premier League for a couple of seasons at Everton and the £25 million paid by the club for the then 18-year-old also raised quite a few eyebrows.

The problem that United face is that there is no one else to help the club get the goals or provide stellar performances. When Rooney joined the club they still had the big names and big stars, which took a little bit of pressure away from the youngster though he did excel from day one at the club. Martial has to hit the ground running from day one and that could be a tough task for someone who isn’t accustomed to the English game.

Martial could prove to be an inspiring signing similar to Ronaldo or Rooney in the near future, but this was a move out of desperation more than necessity. Manchester United needed to bring in a world class striker at least and they failed to do that. The signing of Martial is just paper over the cracks and with three strikers, Chicharito, Van Persie and Falcao, all leaving the club in this transfer window, serious questions must be asked about the transfer policy at the club.

For now, United supporters will have to hope that Martial does provide the team with the goals and creativity they have sorely lacked this season. A 19-year-old coming into such a big team shouldn’t really have this much pressure thrust on him but this is the reality that Martial faces, a promising youngster, now has to perform at the Theatre of Dreams.