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Anthony Martial's agent criticises Arsene Wenger for turning down chance to sign Manchester United striker

The young Frenchman has made an excellent start to his Old Trafford career

Mark Critchley
Saturday 26 September 2015 10:22 BST
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Martial could become the most expensive teenager in world football's history
Martial could become the most expensive teenager in world football's history

The agent of Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has hit out at Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for turning down the opportunity to sign his client.

Philippe Lamboley, the 19-year-old’s representative, believes that Wenger made a mistake when he passed up on Martial because he saw him as a winger rather than a centre forward.

"Anthony is a true modern centre-forward who can play a part,” Lamboley said. "I am surprised by the analysis of Arsene Wenger, who has apparently been following him since he was a teenager."

Martial signed for Louis van Gaal's side on transfer deadline day in a deal which could make him the most expensive teenager in world football's history.

“If the analysis Arsene Wenger has made is in order to justify not having signed Anthony, I accept he is a winger," Lambouley continued.

“But in football, there are those who follow players and those who buy them.”

The £36m acquisition, whose price could rise as high as £58m if he meets certain performance targets, has made an extraordinary start to life at Old Trafford.

Martial has four goals in four games for United so far, including a memorable debut strike in the 3-1 victory over arch rivals Liverpool.

The young Frenchman's early performances have invited comparisons to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who praised Martial after his goalscoring debut. Both, coincidentally, began their careers at the same club, CO Les Ulis, as youth players.

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