Anthony Martial has praised Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, even naming one of the Manchester United legends as the best he has ever played with.
The Frenchman moved to United in 2015 and spent two years playing alongside Rooney before the latter joined Everton, while he has shared a dressing room with Ronaldo since last summer.
Although Martial did not play alongside both players when they were in the primes of their career, both have left a huge impression.
The 26-year-old has been blown away by Ronaldo’s work ethic since he returned to Old Trafford from Juventus and picked up a few pointers from the Portugal international.
Asked about the Portuguese forward, Martial told France Football: ‘He’s super humble – and what a hard worker!
‘We often speak when we are at the gym in the morning before going to training and I would watch what he was doing. That’s only logical, it’s Cristiano Ronaldo!’
But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner – who was United’s top scorer last campaign – does not take the mantle of best player Martial has played alongside.
The striker has plenty of options to choose from, having been part of a star-studded France team, but it is Rooney – and his selflessness for the team – that really stands out for Martial.
He added: ‘We have spoken about being genuine and so I can speak about Wayne Rooney. He’s the best player I have played with.
‘He’s always playing for the team, always at 100%, no fuss. A monster. And a model as a footballer.’
Martial was less complementary about two of his former United managers, however, with the Frenchman criticising Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho in his interview with France Football.
He was rather kinder about Louis van Gaal, though, saying: ‘I had a great relationship with Louis van Gaal the first season. I love to learn and when a gentleman like him takes the time to make me watch videos of my matches in his office to explain things to me, that’s the best.
‘Once I had scored twice and he made watch the video to set me on fire. I told him that I scored twice, so what’s the problem? He wanted to talk to me about running angles and movement zones. I told him that I understood and that he liked my whole character. With Mourinho, it had nothing to do.’
