The 19-year-old becomes the world’s most-expensive teenager after joining from Monaco in a deal worth up to €80 million (£59m)
Thierry Henry admits Manchester United have taken a “massive gamble” by signing Anthony Martial.
The 19-year-old has completed his move Old Trafford from Monaco in a deal worth up to €80 million (£59m).
Martial has been labelled as the next Henry but the former Arsenal striker insists United’s latest recruit will need time to adapt.
“He has pace, can he score a a lot of goals? I actually don’t know because he’s only played 52 games. It’s a weird one for me to say. It’s a massive gamble that you need to take nowadays because of the situation Man United have,” Henry told Sky Sports.
“We saw him at the Emirates last season playing with Monaco and causing trouble to the Arsenal defence, he has a bright future. But there’s always a question mark, whether he can perform.
“We saw it last season with [Angel] Di Maria, an established, experienced player who couldn’t make it through the ranks at United.
“He played at the weekend against PSG and he can play in the middle. Is it going to take him a bit of time to adjust and understand what the job requires? Yes, because he only played 52 professional games. It [the fee] is mind-blowing.
“You have a lot of boxes that you can’t tick with him because I repeat he has only played 52 games. You are not the same player you are after 100 or 150 games from the 50 that you start with – especially as a centre-forward, you need games, experience and time out there to perform.
“I wish him all the best and think he can do well.”