ANT’S ‘AS GOOD AS MBAPPE’

Silvestre: Now that Ibra’s shadow has lifted, Martial will shine again

ANTHONY MARTIAL has been backed to rediscover his best form and prove he is as good as £100millionrated Kylian Mbappe.

Martial enjoyed a sparkling debut campaign, plundering 17 goals following his £36m move from Monaco to Manchester United in August 2015.

But the France striker’s form nosedived last season and he managed only eight goals.

United boss Jose Mourinho publicly criticised a lack of focus and application,

But former United defender and compatriot Mikael Silvestre believes Martial is in the same bracket as Monaco prodigy Mbappe.

“When you reach that level and you then have a difficult time, you bounce back because you’re a competitor,” said Silvestre.

“Anthony has reached the level of Manchester United and the French national team, so I think he will improve his game to perform at least at the same level as the first season.

“The turning point for me was the Euros in France. He was substituted in one game and didn’t play afterwards. Sometimes, when you take a slap to the back of the head, it’s difficult to bounce back, and all season he was trying to get back to his best.

“But his character is a good one so I think he’ll answer the critics and do better.”

Martial has impressed Silvestre in the opening training sessions of United’s US tour at UCLA in Los Angeles ahead of tomorrow’s opening fixture against LA Galaxy.

Asked if he was at the same level as Mbappe, Silvestre said: “Definitely. Every time he touches the ball, even out here in training, you can sense the danger.

“You don’t dive into a challenge when you’re facing Anthony because he can go left or right and beat you with speed.”

Silvestre suggested Martial was intimidated last season by the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic but that burden has been lifted now the veteran striker has moved on.

“Zlatan has an aura, an ego, a big personality, and what he was spreading around him was sometimes intimidating for the younger players,” said Silvestre.

“But also it gives you an example to follow, so it was good to have him around.”

Silvestre also believes United’s £89m world-record signing Paul Pogba will become an even more influential figure next season.

“He came after a long season for Juventus, then he played at the Euros with France and got injured, so he had to catch up with the rest of the squad,” said Silvestre.

“When he signed, the price tag put extra pressure on him, so I think he’s responded well.

“Obviously there’s room for improvement because he didn’t have his best season.

“But I’m hopeful that on the back of a good rest and full preparation, he’ll have a better season.”

Mikael Silvestre was speaking on Manchester United’s Tour 2017 sponsored by Aon