Anthony Martial has handed Manchester United an FA Cup final boost by insisting his head won’t be turned by any approaches from Champions League clubs.
Paris Saint-Germain are one club hoping to capitalise on United’s failure to qualify for next season’s version of the European game’s elite club competition by luring striker Martial back to his native France.
United also know if the French international takes Euro 2016 by storm in his homeland this summer, he will be in even bigger demand from Europe’s top clubs.
But ahead of Saturday’s Wembley clash with Crystal Palace, the striker – a £36million deadline-day signing last summer whose final price could reach £58m – has pledged his immediate future to United despite the fact they will only be in the Europa League next season.
“I love Manchester, I love being here and certainly I see myself being here for a good while yet,” said Martial. “Obviously the future’s a good while ahead yet, but I’m certainly happy here.
“You never know what happens in the future, but the fans have really accepted me really well. They’ve been happy with me and I think the fact they sing a song about me all the time shows they’re quite happy with me. I just do my best to try and pay back that support.
“I’ve got a special relationship with the fans and I’m grateful because they’ve always been there for me and I’m thankful for that.”
Martial, who joined United from Monaco, was such a left-field signing that their skipper Wayne Rooney admitted he had to Google the 20-year-old to find out about him.
“Well, he knows me now, doesn’t he?” said Martial. “I’ve heard that story. I guess it’s pretty amusing.”
But no-one in the football world is unaware of Martial now, after his 17 goals, 11 assists and match-winning displays this season confirmed him as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.
He scored a dramatic late semi-final winner against Everton at Wembley to take United into Saturday’s final and has been the one shaft of light in an otherwise gloomy season under Louis van Gaal.
His burst of pace, quick feet and ability to glide past opponents have made him United’s most potent attacker this season and a key figure in their quest to lift the FA Cup.
Yet Martial, whose shyness off the field is in stark contrast to the swagger he plays with on it, claimed he could have had an even better season and vowed to take his game to a new level next term.
“I think it’s gone okay, but I’m hoping to have a better season next time around,” said the young Frenchman. “I didn’t try and put too much pressure on myself.
“Obviously people mention the price-tag, but I just came here to do my best. I think things have gone relatively well, but I still feel deep down I could have done better than I have done. I’m hoping things will go even better next season.
“I think what helped me is that I’d already gone through quite an expensive transfer in the past when I moved from Lyon to Monaco. That created a lot of interest and people spoke about it a lot in France.
“I just tried to remain true to who I am as a person, keep calm and do my best. I just hope to do the best I can next season – score as many goals as I can, make as many goals as I can and push the team as high up the table as I can.”
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