Is Martial a Fruit or a Fluke?

Many have continue to revel over the performance of young striker Anthony Martial, the 19 year old French striker who assumed the position of the most expensive teenager in world football when he was signed on transfer deadline day, got his fourth goal in as many games for Manchester United in the 3-0 win over Ipswich in the League Cup on Wednesday. He had earlier scored a solo goal against Liverpool and a brace against Southampton in the Premier League.

The composure he has showed in front of goal is certainly something that belies his age. For a player that have only played just seven ninety minutes in his career before his arrival at Manchester United, he is certainly not showing it.

While it is still too early to pass a definitive judgment on how his long term prospect would be in the English game, the early signs are certainly positive, with the likelihood that he could reach double figures for the season before the turn of the year if he continues the current ratio of scoring.

There are certain things that academy coaches cannot teach young players, one of them is that natural instinct to be composed in front of goal. These are qualities that mark out players from their young age with those in the same age group. He has been compared to Thierry Henry in his homeland of France, because of his raw pace, and his composure in front of goal.

The consternation that followed the £36 million Manchester United paid for his services which could still rise, has gradually died down because of his performance so far. But it remains to be seen whether he can continue at the pace he has started with.

Many have been quick to point out other players that came on the scene and took everybody by surprise by their initial display, but later failed to live up to expectation. Federico Macheda has been mentioned in some quarters. The young Italian scored some key goals which was instrumental in Manchester United winning the title a couple of seasons ago, although he has since been fanned out of the club after failing to live up to expectation.

Yet it misses the point to compare both scenarios as many have done. Firstly, the two came from a different footballing background. Anthony Martial is already at a stage in his football development that many advanced players have not reached. He benefited from Monaco's policy of bedding in young players after they abandoned their short lived policy of signing big name players for big fees. With this, it means Martial has a measure of experience few young players can dream of. He already has several Champions League appearances under his belt, having been part of the Monaco side that got to the quarter finals last season.

No doubt the footballing education he received in his early age in France must have stood him in good stead in the early performance he has put up with since his arrival at Old Trafford.

Little wonder the vastly experience Louis van Gaal, who has worked with several young players in his career has already asserted that Martial is ready to play a major role in Manchester United's season.

The player is currently striving on the crest of what is essentially a low expectation because of his age. With Wayne Rooney the first choice striker at Old Trafford, he will not be an automatic first choice, but he provides a huge option from the bench against defences that are tiring, and he has already shown that he has the pace to anticipate certain situation as he did when he incepted a pass against Southampton to score.

While his signing was a huge gamble on the part of Manchester United because of the fee he commanded, few would be talking of that amount if he continues his scoring form. The fact that he would not be first choice, gives him the opportunity to develop under the radar and with the guidance of the experience Wayne Rooney. Besides, he still has time on his side to develop due to his age.

While Manchester United relied on the failed experiment of experience last season with Radamel Falcao, it is the fearlessness of youth that is currently reaping reward with Anthony Martial at the moment. It remains to be seen whether it remains a fruit that bears consistently.