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Anthony Martial will be Louis van Gaal’s legacy at Manchester United

By Chris Fleming

Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial celebrates scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on February 2, 2016. / AFP / PAUL ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial celebrates scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on February 2, 2016. / AFP / PAUL ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) /
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For the second game running, the Man of the Match award went to the young Frenchman who has been outstanding for Manchester United in his debut season.

In a comfortable 3-0 win vs. Stoke City, Anthony Martial demonstrated why he will be the legacy Louis van Gaal leaves behind at Manchester United.

“He is for the next manager,” Van Gaal said shortly after he signed the teenager. It was a telling statement – the Dutchman was quick to urge caution and explain that Martial’s best was understandably yet to come.

Now, though, Van Gaal has conceded that even he did not anticipate such bright and enterprising performances from the forward this season. “[It] is surprising to do what he has,” the manager admitted following the win against Stoke.

Martial was exceptional throughout the game. Each time he got the ball, every time he ran at an opponent, the Old Trafford crowd lit up. His goal and assist capped what was the best performance of the season for player and team. By the end of the match, United were so dominant that Van Gaal could even afford to withdraw Martial and give him a rest before the weekend’s fixture against Chelsea. It’s been some time since that was an option for the Dutchman.

The 79 minutes Martial did spend on the pitch were a treat for United fans. In a season where performances and results have underwhelmed, the memorable moments have often been provided by the man signed on the last day of the summer transfer window.

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Against Stoke, that was no different. As Michael Carrick, Jesse Lingard, Wayne Rooney, Matteo Darmian and Juan Mata strung together a wonderful counter-attacking move, Martial arrived into the penalty area at the perfect time to collect Rooney’s pass and curl a brilliant shot into the top corner of the net. It was a glorious team move, United’s goal of the season to date and perhaps a contender for Premier League goal of the season. The speed, precision and clinical finish recalled the United of old.

It was also a symbolic goal. Following a dire few seasons, Martial’s strike pointed to a bright future.

For the moment, the short-term future at the club still looks bleak, but it is no exaggeration to state that Martial could develop into one of the standout players of his generation. Building a team around him must quickly become a priority.

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At ease on the wing or through the middle, the player who won the 2015 Golden Boy award has the perfect blend of athleticism and technical skill. The list of defenders torn to pieces by the Frenchman is getting longer as the games go by. In one-on-one scenarios, Martial has the ability go directly to the touchline or cut back inside. What’s remarkable is that, even at full pace, he still has the presence of mind to use the ball well.

For most other players, everything would be a blur at such speed, but Martial remains cool and composed.

There are, of course, still instances where he tries to take on too much and overdoes things, but that’s nit-picking in a season where he has often been the sole source of fun and enjoyment in the team.

At its most basic, football is a form of entertainment. Unwittingly, perhaps, Van Gaal signed the perfect player who fits in precisely with what the club’s fans want to see. United fans have a certain affinity with watching young talents develop into world-class players. Much like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and David De Gea before him, Martial is at the start of a process that will be exciting to witness.

When Martial signed for United, Morgan Schneiderlin explained that Rooney approached him to ask who his compatriot was. Now, however, everybody knows the young Frenchman’s name.

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Van Gaal, for his part, will only be at United for a maximum of three seasons. In truth, it would make sense for club and manager to part ways in the summer. But in the form of Martial, Van Gaal has ensured that he will leave some legacy when he eventually departs.

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