Anthony Martial: 'It's normal Wayne Rooney doesn't know who I am..and it's up to me to justify €80m price tag'

Uncapped Frenchman made the surprise move on deadline day

Wednesday 02 September 2015 18:22 BST

Anthony Martial speaks to the press from France's Clairefontaine base (GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Anthony Martial says that he was not surprised by the news that Wayne Rooney did not know who he was before he made his shock €80m move from Monaco to Manchester United, but says that it is now up to him to prove his worth.

The 19-year-old moved to Old Trafford on deadline day in a transfer that could see him become the most expensive teenager in football history.

He could, however, make his international debut for against Portugal on Friday night.

Speaking from the French training camp today, Martial said: "I don't know if I'm worth €80m. That's between the two clubs. It's up to me to prove my worth.

"It's normal Rooney doesn't know me. Its my frst time with France and I didn't play much in Ligue 1. I will learn a lot from him."

Before the transfer on Monday, it was reported that the United captain Rooney asked team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin who the player was.

"To be honest, yesterday [Sunday] on the plane, Wayne Rooney came to speak to me and asked me who Martial was, because the English press had started to speak.

Anthony Martial in his new Manchester United shirt (GETTY IMAGES)

"I told him he's a great player with great potential, who has played some good matches with Monaco last season and the beginning of this.

"I told him he is technical and powerful. A little like Therry Henry, even if it's the press who are making that comparison."

The Independent has launched a new football app! Live scores, in-game stats, breaking news, videos and push notifications are just some of the many features. Use the links below to download and get more from Indy Football...

iPhone
http://ind.pn/iphonefootball

iPad
http://ind.pn/ipadfootball

Android
http://ind.pn/androidfootball