Manchester United spent £36million on Anthony Martial but supporters are forgiven if they do not know much about the 19-year-old France starlet from Monaco.
Martial prefers to stay in, enjoys home-cooked meals by his mum, is a television addict and likes to relax with his family following training sessions and matches.
The striker is married to childhood sweetheart Samantha and the couple have an infant daughter named Toto. They are currently expecting their second child.
Manchester United striker Anthony Martial pictured relaxing with his infant daughter named Toto
Martial is married to childhood sweetheart Samantha and the couple are expecting their second child
Martial’s infant daughter Toto dons Monaco kits with her name and ‘Papa’ on the back
Martial’s transfer fee, which could rise to £58m with bonuses that include him being named European Footballer of the Year, made him the most expensive teenager in history.
Mrs Martial posted a pictured of her husband with a Manchester United shirt on Instagram, saying: ‘A new life begins in England … we will never forget Monaco … thank you all for your support.’
She has already been making WAG connections in England, within hours of flying to the UK.
Mrs Martial was told to ‘step on it’ by Aston Villa midfielder Jordan Veretout’s partner on Instagram.
The United star’s wife replied saying she had already arrived and posted a laughing emoji, along with two umbrellas.
‘Yes, especially don’t forget your umbrella,’ Veretout’s girlfriend responded.
Martial’s lifestyle, however, is at odds with his new-found fame. ‘After training, I like to come home and find my wife. I am very homely,’ he previously told France Football.
The Paris-born starlet has been dubbed the new Thierry Henry but, just like any other teenager, has a love for video games, including FIFA, and TV shows such as Dexter.
His pre-match rituals include listening to music and, as a Catholic, praying.
Following a game he texts his wife Samantha immediately who, during their time in Monaco, enjoyed going on undisturbed walks. ‘We can walk quietly, you are not bothered much,’ Martial said.
After joining arguably the world’s most famous club in football, that will probably change.
But a source close to Martial told The Sun: ‘Anthony now carries the glamorous title of being the most expensive teenager in world football, but his life is just the opposite.
‘He loves staying in and being with his family. It doesn’t look like he’ll be raising hell once he moves to Manchester.’
Anthony Martial has a fondness for his mum’s cooking, saying that he only eats well his mum comes round
Not long after his move to Monaco from Paris, a 17-year-old Martial seemed to be missing his mother
Manchester United spent £36m on Martial from Monaco in a move that astonished those in France
Martial took this selfie and uploaded it to his Instagram previously during his time with Monaco
Martial prefers to stay in with Samatha (pictured) and likes to relax with his family
Samantha, pictured, is expecting her second baby. She has flown to the UK to be with her husband
Mrs Martial, pictured, has already been making WAG connections in England, within hours of flying to the UK
His idol as a youngster was Sonny Anderson ‒the Brazil striker who scored 71 goals in 110 appearances in Ligue 1 for Lyon between 1999 and 2003.
‘My first jersey was that of Sonny Anderson,’ Martial says. ‘When I was little, I was a fan of Lyon.’ His love of Brazilian football doesn’t stop there, as he adds: ‘I liked Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.’
In a tweet in March last year, he praised Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs who helped the English side overcome Olympiakos in the Champions League last 16. He said: ‘Giggs is 40 years old. Respect.’
The Welshman will now be coaching Martial, as he assistant manager at Old Trafford.
Martial made three appearances in Ligue 1 for Lyon and 49 for Monaco, scoring 11 goals.
His fee has been met with astonishment in France but Louis van Gaal recognises something in the starlet who was recently called up by his national team. Time will tell if it was money well spent.
Martial, pictured as youngster while in the Lyon youth team, said Sonny Anderson ‒ the Brazil striker who scored 71 goals in 110 appearances in Ligue 1 for Lyon between 1999 and 2003 – was his idol
In a tweet in March last year, he praised Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs who helped the English side overcome Olympiakos in the Champions League last 16. He said: ‘Giggs is 40 years old. Respect.’
Martial poses with his former Monaco team-mates previously ahead of his £36m move to Manchester United
Martial previously posed with Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry (right), who he has been likened to
The young forward also posted this picture of himself in his current home town of Monte Carlo
New Manchester United signing Anthony Martial, right, with family members last year
Martial’s fee has been met with astonishment in France but Louis van Gaal recognises something in the starlet who was recently called up by his national team
Martial’s wife posted this picture on Instagram, as the footballer prepared for a photo shoot for a French magazine
Martial made three appearances in Ligue 1 for Lyon and 49 for Monaco, scoring 11 goals in total