Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial

Martial playing for AS Monaco in 2015
Personal information
Full name Anthony Joran Martial[1]
Date of birth (1995-12-05) 5 December 1995
Place of birth Massy, France
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Playing position Winger / Forward[3][4]
Club information
Current team
 Manchester United
Number 9
Youth career
2001–2009 CO Les Ulis
2009–2012 Lyon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2012–2013 Lyon 3 (0)
2013–2015 Monaco 49 (11)
2015– Manchester United 29 (9)
National team‡
2010–2011 France U16 17 (9)
2011–2012 France U17 13 (9)
2012–2013 France U18 4 (3)
2013 France U19 5 (0)
2013– France U21 12 (4)
2015– France 8 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 May 2016.
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 29 March 2016

Anthony Joran Martial (French pronunciation: ​[maʁ.sjal]; born 5 December 1995) is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward and winger for Premier League club Manchester United and the France national team. He was the recipient of the 2015 Golden Boy Award for the best under-21 player in Europe.

Playing youth football for CO Les Ulis, he began his professional career at Lyon, then transferred to AS Monaco in 2013 for a fee of €6 million. He was a member of Monaco's squad for two seasons, and signed for Manchester United in 2015 for an initial fee of £36 million which could potentially rise to £57.6 million.[5] This is the highest fee paid for a teenager in football history even before the potential increase. He scored in his first match for United, and was named the Premier League Player of the Month in his first month in English football.

An international for France from under-16 to under-21 level, Martial made his senior debut in 2015.

Club career

Early career and Lyon

Born in Massy, Essonne, Martial spent his youth years in Paris-based CO Les Ulis from 2001,[6] the same team who produced French internationals Thierry Henry and Patrice Evra.[7] Evra closely monitored the progress of Martial, and allowed him to play in one of his pairs of football boots at the age of 12.[7] At the same age, Martial trialled at Manchester City.[7]

At just 14 years old in 2009 he was spotted by scouts from the Olympique Lyonnais academy and joined it the same year. During his second season in the Under-17 team he distinguished himself by scoring 32 goals in 21 games, which resulted in a call-up to the France national under-17 football team for the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Slovenia.

He made his professional debut for Lyon on 6 December 2012, in a Europa League group stage match against Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona, replacing goalscorer Yassine Benzia for the final 10 minutes of a 2–0 victory at the Stade de Gerland.[8] His first Ligue 1 game was on 3 February 2013 against Ajaccio, when he came on as a substitute in the 79th minute for Rachid Ghezzal in a 3–1 away loss.[9] He made two further appearances from the bench that season.

AS Monaco

On 30 June 2013, AS Monaco announced they had signed Martial to a three-year contract for a fee of €5 million plus bonuses.[10][11] On 24 November, he made his first league appearance for the club at the age of 17, replacing Radamel Falcao after 63 minutes and playing a part in Mounir Obbadi's goal which gave victory away to FC Nantes.[12] He scored his first goal for the principality club on his first start, a 2–0 win over Rennes at the Stade Louis II six days later.[13] His campaign was disrupted by a sprained ankle against Valenciennes in December.[14] On 27 January 2014, he extended his contract until June 2018.[14]

In his second season at Monaco, Martial scored nine goals in 36 Ligue 1 games, starting on 5 October 2014 when as a substitute for Lucas Ocampos, he gained a 1–1 draw at reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain with a last-minute strike from close range.[15] He scored twice against a 10-man Bastia on 13 March 2015 in a 3–0 home victory.[16] On 26 June, he further extended his link with the team until 2019.[17]

On 4 August 2015, Martial scored his first goal in European competition, in a 4–0 home win over BSC Young Boys in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League; Monaco advanced 7–1 on aggregate.[18]

Manchester United

Transfer

On 1 September 2015, Martial completed a move to Manchester United for £36 million, potentially rising to £58 million, on a four-year contract with the option of another year.[19][20] This was the highest transfer fee paid for a teenager, breaking the previous record of £27 million United paid for Luke Shaw a year earlier, and that Paris Saint-Germain had paid for Marquinhos in 2013.[21] United paid £36 million up front for Martial, but his contract contains three bonus clauses worth £7.2 million each, taking the potential fee to £57.6 million. The clauses each relate to certain accomplishments being achieved in the next four years, including if Martial scores 25 goals during that span, racks up 25 caps for France or wins the Ballon d'Or before June 2019.[22] Manager Louis van Gaal called Martial an acquisition for United's future rather than for immediate use, and called the transfer fee "ridiculous", alleging that Manchester United regularly had to pay £10 million more than other teams.[20][23]

Upon signing, Martial said, "I'm so excited to join United, I have always wanted to play in the Premier League and to join the biggest club in the world is what every young footballer dreams of." Van Gaal stated, "Anthony is a naturally talented, young, multi-functional forward with great potential. I believe this is the club for him to continue his development." The fee was reportedly met with astonishment by the French public.[21]

2015–16 season

Martial playing for Manchester United in 2015

Martial made his debut at Old Trafford on 12 September as a 65th-minute substitute for Juan Mata, and scored the final goal of a 3–1 win over rivals Liverpool.[24] Van Gaal called it a "marvellous goal".[25] Eight days later, in his first Premier League start, he scored twice in an away win, 3–2 at Southampton.[26] On 23 September, again as a replacement for Mata, Martial scored his fourth goal in four games for his new club, concluding a 3–0 win over Ipswich Town in the third round of the League Cup.[27] Martial's early impact was praised by former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who stated that "he can do anything".[28]

Martial won his first individual honour at United as he picked up the 'PFA Fan's Player of the Month' for September, in which he notched up three goals from two matches.[29] A few days later, he gained his second trophy at United, as his strike against Liverpool earned him the club's 'Goal of the Month' for September.[30] He was also named Premier League Player of the Month for September, the third-youngest player to receive the award after Micah Richards and Michael Owen.[31][32]

On 21 October, in a Champions League group stage match away to CSKA Moscow, Martial gave away a penalty – which David de Gea saved from Roman Eremenko – and later equalised to confirm a 1–1 draw.[33] He was awarded the Golden Boy as Europe's best under-21 player on 19 December.[34]

Martial was key in a 2–1 win against Everton in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on 23 April 2016: he assisted the first goal by Marouane Fellaini and scored an added-time winner.[35]

International career

Youth

Martial playing for France in 2015

Martial scored five goals as France topped their qualification group for the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship: two goals in a 5–0 win over the Faroe Islands, and a hat-trick against Northern Ireland in Luxembourg.[36] He added two more in elite round victories against Switzerland and Sweden to confirm qualification.[37] He netted once in a group stage exit at the final tournament in Slovenia, a 2–2 opening game draw with Iceland at the Domžale Sports Park.[38]

Martial played all five games for France under-19 at the 2013 European Championship in Lithuania, finishing as runners-up to Serbia.[39] He was one of five Frenchmen selected in the Team of the Tournament.[40]

Senior

On 26 August 2015, Martial was called up to the senior France squad for the first time, for friendlies against Portugal and Serbia in the following month.[41] He made his debut in the former on 4 September at Lisbon's Estádio José Alvalade, replacing Karim Benzema for the final 16 minutes of a 1–0 win.[42] On 11 October, Martial made his first start for Les Bleus in a 2–1 win against Denmark at Parken Stadion, Copenhagen, and assisted the opening goal by Olivier Giroud.[43]

Style of play

Aziz Benaaddane, one of Martial's coaches at Les Ulis, told the BBC in 2015 that as a six-year-old, Martial was able to run in a straight line to the goal: "We've got 400 youngsters playing for us but a talent like that arrives only once every five or six years. We felt it, we saw the potential and we pushed him".[7] Mahamadou Niakite, another coach, added that Martial was put in higher age groups, as at the age of six he had the ability of most eight-year-olds, and at around the age of 12–13 he was focused on becoming a professional.[7]

According to journalist Philippe Auclair, Martial plays in a style similar to former French international Thierry Henry, with speed and technical ability both in wide positions and up front.[21] Henry himself praised Martial after his goalscoring debut,[44] while Martial himself refuted the comparison, saying "I don't think we have the same type of game – he was very quick whereas I rely more on power and technique. But it's always good to be compared to great players".[45]

In the aftermath of France’s 2–1 win over Denmark in October 2015, Fenerbahçe defender Simon Kjær was reportedly stunned after playing against him to learn that Martial was just 19. He told French newspaper L'Équipe, "He’s really good for 19. I didn't know him when I was in France. He’s very, very hard to mark because he knows how to do a lot of things. Not only is he quick, but he’s also technically good."[46]

Personal life

Martial is of Guadeloupean descent.[47] His elder brother, Johan, is a professional defender for Troyes AC, and represented their country up to under-20 level. They have another brother, Dorian, in the senior team at Les Ulis.[7] The Martial family placed high emphasis on the education of their children.[7] His youth coaches describe him as a shy and quiet person.[7]

Martial is married to Samantha and has a daughter. He is a practising Roman Catholic.[48]

Career statistics

Club

As of 1 May 2016[49]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lyon 2012–13 Ligue 1 3000001040
Total 3000001040
Monaco 2013–14 Ligue 1 112301000152
2014–15 3593132704812
2015–16 3000004171
Total 491161421116815
Manchester United 2015–16 Premier League 2996221934615
Total 2996221934615
Career total 80201236321412030

International

As of 29 March 2016[50]
National teamYearAppsGoals
France 201560
201620
Total80

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Premier League – Squad List 2015/16" (PDF). Premier League. p. 24. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Anthony MARTIAL - First team - AS Monaco FC". asmonaco.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  3. ↑ "LOUIS VAN GAAL EXPLAINS OPTIONS PROVIDED BY YOUNG PAIR MARTIAL AND LINGARD". Official Manchester United Website. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  4. ↑ "Van Gaal: Martial isn't a striker". Goal.com. 23 April 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  5. ↑ http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2594161/anthony-martial-could-cost-man-united-57-6-million-monaco
  6. ↑ "Joueur - Anthony MARTIAL". fff.fr. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Anthony Martial: The making of Manchester United's star". BBC Sport. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  8. ↑ "Imperious Lyon cruise past Kiryat Shmona". UEFA. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "Lyon boit la tasse à Ajaccio" [Lyon frink from the cup at Ajaccio] (in French). France Info. 3 February 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Lyon Press Release
  11. ↑ "Anthony Martial sign AS Monaco FC". AS Monaco FC. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  12. ↑ "Nantes 0-1 Monaco". BBC Sport. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Monaco: Une attaque Rivière-Martial contre Rennes" [Monaco: A Rivière-Martial attack against Rennes] (in French). Sports. 30 November 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  14. 1 2 "Martial extends Monaco stay". FourFourTwo. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  15. ↑ Ames, Nick (5 October 2014). "Monaco’s Anthony Martial thwarts PSG in battle of Ligue 1 big spenders". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media). Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  16. ↑ "Monaco 3-0 Bastia". BBC Sport. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  17. ↑ "Martial extends". lequipe.fr. 27 June 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "UCL round-up: Ajax stunned by Rapid Vienna, Monaco thrash Young Boys to advance with ease". The National (Agence France-Presse). 5 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  19. ↑ Jackson, Jamie (1 September 2015). "Anthony Martial signs for Manchester United for £36m from Monaco". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  20. 1 2 Upal, Sunni; Barlow, Matt (1 September 2015). "Manchester United complete £36m Anthony Martial transfer on four-year deal". Daily Mail. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  21. 1 2 3 "Anthony Martial: Man Utd sign Monaco forward for £36m". BBC Sport. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  22. ↑ Sunderland, Tom. "Report: Martial Contract Clauses Emerge". Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  23. ↑ "Paying £58.8m for Anthony Martial ‘ridiculous’, admits Louis van Gaal". The Guardian. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  24. ↑ McNulty, Phil (12 September 2015). "Man Utd 3-1 Liverpool". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  25. ↑ "Fox Sports". Fox Sports. 14 September 2015.
  26. ↑ Rostance, Tom (20 September 2015). "Southampton 2-3 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  27. ↑ "Man Utd 3-0 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  28. ↑ McDonnell, David. "Sir Alex Ferguson has had his say on the new Man United scoring sensation". Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  29. ↑ "Anthony Martial has already won an award at Manchester United". Mirror. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  30. ↑ "Anthony Martial wins Manchester United's Goal of the Month award - Official Manchester United Website". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  31. ↑ "Anthony Martial: Man Utd forward wins player of the month". BBC Sport. 16 October 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  32. ↑ "Martial and Pochettino win Barclays monthly awards". Premier League. 16 October 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  33. ↑ "CSKA 1-1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  34. 1 2 Swales, Andy (19 December 2015). "Manchester United's Anthony Martial is Europe's Golden Boy for 2015". Sky Sports. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  35. ↑ Wilson, Paul (23 April 2016). "Anthony Martial takes Manchester United past Everton to final at the last". The Observer. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  36. ↑ Babaev, David (2 November 2011). "Last-gasp Luxembourg go forward with France". UEFA. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  37. ↑ "EDF/U17 = LA FRANCE EN PHASE FINALE !" [EDF/U17 = FRANCE IN THE FINALS!] (in French). Les Titis du PSG. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  38. ↑ Ross, Dan (4 May 2012). "Iceland comeback checks France". Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  39. ↑ Haslam, Andrew (1 August 2013). "Luković strike seals first Serbia triumph". UEFA. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  40. ↑ "Technical Report" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. pp. 18–19. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  41. ↑ "Deschamps calls up Martial, leaves out Sakho". FourFourTwo (26 August 2015). 28 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  42. ↑ "Portugal 0-1 France: Valbuena strikes late to sink Ronaldo & Co". Goal.com. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  43. ↑ "Giroud at the double as France see off Denmark". UEFA. 11 October 2015.
  44. ↑ Chick, Alex (12 September 2015). "Thierry Henry praises Anthony Martial goal: 'I love the finish'". Eurosport. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  45. ↑ Leras, Marc (1 May 2015). "Martial seizing the day with Monaco". UEFA Official Website. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  46. ↑ Hover, Ashley (14 October 2015). "Martial "very hard" to mark, says Denmark defender Kjaer". Squawka. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  47. ↑ "Un transfert ultra médiatique pour LE [sic] Guadeloupéen Anthony Martial" [A high-profile transfer for the Guadeloupean Anthony Martial] (in French). Radio Caraibe International. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  48. ↑ Gill, Kieran (2 September 2015). "The 19-year-old dad who has become the world's most expensive teenage footballer: How Man United's new £36m French star married his childhood sweetheart - but still loves his mum's home-cooked meals". Daily Mail. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  49. ↑ "A. MARTIAL". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  50. ↑ Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. "Anthony Martial - National Football Teams". national-football-teams.com.
  51. ↑ "Technical Report" (PDF). Union of European Football Associations. pp. 18–19.
  52. ↑ "Fans' Player of the Month – 2015/16 Winners". Professional Footballers' Association (PFA). Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  53. ↑ "Martial named Barclays Player of the Month". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  54. ↑ "MARTIAL'S DEBUT STRIKE WINS GOAL OF THE SEASON AWARD". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). 2 May 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.

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