It is seven years ago since Anthony Martial announced himself as a Manchester United player with a stupendous solo goal on his first outing against Liverpool.
Martial’s mesmerising run and cool finish into the far corner of the net are etched on the minds of any modern United supporter, one of the standout moments from following the club over the last success-starved decade.
All those years later, Martial is still yet to fulfil the enormous potential that accompanied his £36m move from Monaco and amazingly, he heads into this summer with another chance to prove he really does belong at Old Trafford.
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It speaks volumes about the issues United have that Martial has now survived seven years at the club as an enigma. It also speaks volumes that he might well be tasked with leading the line against Liverpool again next week.
Erik ten Hag’s first match in charge of the club won’t be as raucous as the atmosphere on Martial’s famous debut, but it will be hugely important, with the new manager looking to get off to the perfect start against a side who have helped raise the standards in recent years.
Not too much can be read from the result or the performance in Bangkok next week, though there will be plenty of fair scrutiny on the two squads and how much they have changed since last season.
Darwin Nunez has been added to the Liverpool side since they last kicked a ball, after United tried and failed to sign him themselves in the summer window.
On the other hand, United have just Tyrell Malacia to flaunt, a left-back with a bright future but not a player who is even necessarily expected to start in the coming months.
Liverpool’s forward line will likely be led by their new £85m signing from Benfica, while United's will likely be fronted by either Martial or Marcus Rashford in the absence of star striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
There’s not much bigger juxtaposition than Liverpool’s excitement about a bright future with one of the hottest young forwards in world football and United’s despair at heading into the new campaign with a pair who mustered just seven goals between them last season.
But with United finding it so tough to find a suitable buyer for Martial, there is a real chance the Frenchman could have a role to play next season, even more so amid the uncertain future of Ronaldo.
In defence of the 26-year-old he has shown glimpses of genuine world-class talent during his time at United, and now he must stand up and be counted at the time his club needs him most.
For their own benefit, it makes a lot more sense to have a happy Martial rather than a miserable one next season, and he should be invigorated by the opportunity to replace Ronaldo in the upcoming matches, another chance to prove his doubters wrong.
Ten Hag needs some creativity in his forward line this summer, but without their attacking architect to call upon, it might be time for some Martial arts.
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