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Anthony Martial says Patrice Evra played key role in Man United move

Anthony Martial of Manchester United celebrates scoring their third goal
Image: Anthony Martial has six Premier League goals for Manchester United this season

Anthony Martial has revealed former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra played a key role in convincing him to sign for the club.

The France forward became the most expensive teenager in football history when he joined United for an initial £36m from Monaco last summer, making the same move Evra did in 2006.

The full-back left Old Trafford for Juventus in 2014 after eight successful seasons but retains a strong connection to the Premier League club, and Martial confirmed Evra's affection for United remains strong.

When asked if Evra helped persuade him to sign, Martial told Inside United magazine: "Patrice Evra told me it was a 'club of champions', a club that above all else wants to win, and certainly since I arrived here I've felt that for myself too.

"He lives in the same town as me in France and has only ever had good things to say to me about the club.

"He talks about us all the time and he's told me that he spent his very best years as a player here so I reckon he is still very attached to this club."

Patrice Evra of Manchester United
Image: Patrice Evra also joined Manchester United from Monaco

Martial has six goals and three assists in 20 league appearances this season, and although his Monaco performances drew comparisons to France legend Thierry Henry, the forward picked out three alternatives when asked to name his biggest inspirations.

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"My brother [Johan Martial] was the one who really gave me the desire to follow in his footsteps," Martial continued. "Also, it was really Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, the two Brazilian players, who also inspired me to a future in football.

"There was a particularly important coach for me. Willy Sagnol, the current Bordeaux manager, who was running the French Under-21 team at the time.

Anthony Martial of Manchester United opens the scoring
Image: Anthony Martial credits Ronaldo and Ronaldinho as two of his inspirations

"I was at Monaco and wasn't playing in the first team then but turning out for the reserves - and he picked me for the French national team U21s."

Martial described it as a dream come true to sign for the "biggest club in the world" after two seasons at Monaco, but as a team United have struggled to live up to expectations at times this season.

The forward insists silverware is still the goal, and United have opportunities in the Europa League and FA Cup, while they are 12 points off Leicester in the hunt for the Premier League title.

Manchester United unveil new signing Anthony Martial at Aon Training Complex on September 1, 2015 in Manchester, England
Image: Martial become the most expensive teenager in football history with the transfer to Manchester United

"Now I'm actually here, I can totally appreciate that it's one of the biggest, and probably is the biggest club in the world," he added. "So I just want to perform really well here and make the supporters proud.

"When I'm on the pitch I try and not put pressure on myself and get on with playing my football. I hope that this year we are going to manage to win something."

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