Manchester United have done fairly well with French strikers in the past – after Eric Cantona came Louis Saha, who has now been succeeded by Anthony Martial; a youngster that the ex-United frontman is backing to become one of the world’s best.
Saha never hit the heights he could have in a United shirt but he was loved by the fans and put plenty of goals away – a quality that Martial already shares with him, even this early in his United career.
Speaking to The Daily Star, Saha said:
“I’m more confident that Martial will definitely fulfil his potential.”
And with United currently preparing to face Everton this weekend, whom Saha also played for in the Premier League, Louis decided to compare the Red Devils striker to a Toffees man:
“Lukaku has immense quality. You don’t score so many goals at his age without it. Martial is a little bit behind him in terms of experience and showing his talent.
“But he’s got that mentality to try to work hard every day. I hope Lukaku proves me wrong.”
“If I’m saying it, it’s just to make him realise that as an Everton fan and a Lukaku fan, I want to see more.”
Coming from someone who knows what it’s like to play in the Premier League and Champions League, as well as from a fellow countryman, Martial must be absolutely beaming at this praise – but he’s already shown that he’s a well-grounded player with maturity beyond his years.
Let’s hope Louis Saha is right and Martial will become the mercurial goal machine that he’s showing the capabilities to become.
