Ex-Red Devils midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger believes that Anthony Martial “can be one of the best” and that the Frenchman has “immense potential”.
After impressing on Tour 22, which was Erik ten Hag’s first pre-season in charge of Manchester United, following his return from a difficult loan spell with La Liga side Sevilla, Martial has frustratingly suffered three separate injury setbacks.
Having impressed the former Ajax manager during pre-season, United’s number nine has often contributed when he’s been fit and available.
The 27-year-old has four goals and two assists from seven appearances this season, but the former Monaco youngster has only started three games.
From 292 minutes of competitive football this season, the 30-time France international, who missed out on a spot in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad, is averaging a direct goal involvement every 42 minutes for the 2022-23 campaign.
Bastian Schweinsteiger talks up Manchester United striker Anthony Martial
Schweinsteiger had already been signed by Louis van Gaal when the former Netherlands boss signed Martial from Monaco a few months later in 2015.
The 2014 World Cup winner played alongside the mercurial Frenchman 26 times for the twenty-time league champions.
Having hopefully overcome his injury issues, the former Bayern Munich midfielder is backing his former talented teammate to kick on and elevate his game to a whole new level.
In an interview with the club’s media, the 38-year-old said: “His potential is immense. I remember very well when he arrived at United, and he scored the goal against Liverpool in a special way.
“With him, you need to give him confidence. But you also need to push him sometimes, you know, and then he can be one of the best players.
“But he has to understand that first, you know, and that’s the job of the coaches and also the team-mates. If you play with someone like him, you want to see the quality of this player all the time. You expect it because you know what this player is able to do.”
The former midfield maestro, who is one of the most decorated players in European football, said he always tried to give Martial the ball in areas where he could hurt the opposition.
He added: “When I played with him, my goal was always to put him in the right position with the ball. So to give him the ball in the right moments where he can show his abilities the most.
“Like one against one, one against two, with the ball, facing the opponents’ goal.
“They are the moments he [is] waiting for, and then he’s actually producing. At the end of the day, what matters for him is goals and assists.”
Having started both of United’s winter friendlies against La Liga sides Cadiz and Real Betis, Martial will be hoping to hit the ground running against Burnley in the Carabao Cup fourth-round on Wednesday.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
