Anthony Martial the '17th best Under-21 player in Europe', Manchester United striker worse than Newcastle bad-boy Aleksandar Mitrovic

United paid a staggering £36m for the teenager, with the fee potentially rising to £58m

Anthony Martial and his Manchester United shirt (twitter.com/ManUtd)

A study earlier this summer suggested Anthony Martial was the 17th best Under-21 player in Europe, a finding that will only magnify the incredible £36m fee Manchester United paid for the teenager.

The France striker arrived at Old Trafford yesterday in the biggest deal of transfer deadline day. The fee will become the most ever paid for a teenager when the add-ons kick in, with the total Monaco will receive potentially rising to £58m.

There has been surprise in France over the fee, with most agreeing that Martial has potential but warning there are no guarantee he will develop into the player Manchester United are banking on.

Those views appear to be backed up by the Soccerex 20 Football Value Index released in July.

The forward was positioned as the 17th most valuable Under-21 player in Europe. The player with the highest worth was Raheem Sterling, who joined Manchester United's rivals Manchester City. Other notable inclusions on the list are Memphis Depay, valued third, who also joined United this summer. Old Trafford left-back Luke Shaw was at number nine.

The study, which factors in age, position, club, contract length, market value perception, international caps, goals, injuries and technique, made Martial the second highest valued centre-forward. However, the player above him might be a concern. Aleksandar Mitrovic, signed by Newcastle from Anderlecht in a £13m deal this summer, comes out ahead. In five games at his new club, the 20-year-old Serbian has failed to score, been booked twice and was sent off against Arsenal.