Are Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay the New Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo?
The exploits of Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay this season suggest Louis van Gaal's youthful attack can mount a serious title challenge
- Siddharth Kohli
- Updated: September 28, 2015 09:40 AM IST
Manchester United climbed to the Premier League summit for the first time in over two years following their 3-0 victory over Sunderland on Saturday. The win was comfortable, with United seemingly having played within themselves.
It did, however, mount further evidence to suggest that Louis van Gaal has a young, fearsome attack at his disposal. Anthony Martial, the 19-year old French striker plucked from relative obscurity, for an eye-watering initial price of GBP 36 million seems to be the real deal.
He came close to scoring a fifth goal in five games, while his selfless runs and attempts to set up his teammates showed his willingness to be more than just a typical number nine.
In the 67th minute, with United breaking on the counter, Martial played a perfectly weighted through ball to Memphis Depay but the Dutchman shot straight at the keeper. Had he scored, however, the goal would have summed up what the two forwards have been all about this season.
Martial and Memphis have shown they know exactly how to find each other on the pitch. They have a great understanding and there is intent to pass the ball and create opportunities for one another.
© AFP
They combined wonderfully for Manchester United's third goal against Ipswich in midweek, with Memphis chesting the ball, for Martial to run on and slot it in the bottom corner. Only 19 and 21, a frightening partnership could develop once the pair mature and become more clinical but the brilliance of their link-up play is already evident.
The last great double-act the Manchester United fans saw was back in the 2004-09 period when Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo ran riot. Together, the pair won three League titles and the Champions League in 2008, among other honours. Fans would remember fondly, how they were devastating on the counter, combining speed, power and finishing.
Rooney sacrificed himself to create chances for Ronaldo, who broke all goal-scoring records, winning the Ballon D'Or in 2008. Despite Ronaldo's controversial role in Rooney's sending off at the 2006 World Cup, the two were known to share a great off-field relationship. They played for each other at Manchester United, with Cristiano Ronaldo stating yesterday "I miss playing with Rooney. Maybe one day we can play together again."
Scaling the heights of Rooney and Ronaldo may be far off but Martial and Memphis have all the goods to make it happen. Under the counsel of a manager known to turn youths into superstars and the Old Trafford faithful in need of some silverware, the stage is set for the youngsters to write their own chapter in Manchester United folklore.