‘Rooney didn’t know Martial'

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney knew nothing of Anthony Martial when the Monaco forward was linked with a move to Old Trafford, according to team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin.

Martial has returned to France after completing a medical ahead of his proposed move and Sky sources understand United will pay Monaco an initial £36m for the 19-year-old – making him the most expensive teenager in football history.


News of United’s interest broke as the squad were flying back to Manchester after their 2-1 defeat to Swansea on Sunday and the England captain approached Schneiderlin to get the low-down on the potential new recruit.

Schneiderlin told the Manchester Evening News, “On the plane, Wayne Rooney came to speak to me and asked me who Martial was, because the English press had started to speak.

“I told him he’s a great player with great potential, who has played some good matches with Monaco last season and the beginning of this.

“I told him he is technical and powerful. A little like Thierry Henry, even if it’s the press who are making that comparison.”