Twitter Reacts as Manchester United Seal Deal for Anthony Martial

After missing out on a host of world class names over the summer, Manchester United have apparently found a world-class player whom everyone has heard of and seen in which to invest their considerable funds—Anthony Martial. According to the latest reports at the time of writing from the BBC, the 19-year-old will be putting pen to paper imminently for a fee of £36 million:

"

At £36m Martial will become world's most expensive teenager, 11 years to the day Rooney broke the same record. #MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtdUpdates_) August 31, 2015"

When news of the record-breaking move for the precocious Frenchman first broke, it transpired that most folks on Twitter had absolutely no idea who he was: 

"

Am I the only one pretending to know who 'Martial' is?

— Narinder Singh (@NSP55) August 31, 2015"

"

Anthony Martial is world-class. One of the best forwards there is. (No idea who he is)

— Wally ➰ (@WaleedElH) August 31, 2015"

The natural instinct of the modern football fan is to find a YouTube highlights reel of an unknown player, but this resource gave mixed results:

However, some footage of Martial did go viral. Evidently, his celebration game is on point, even if it isn't always used appropriately:

"

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I GIVE TO YOU ANTHONY MARTIAL...and yes he does miss and celebrate like he has scored! https://t.co/sCsavo5MgM

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) August 31, 2015"

In another testament to the increasingly digital relationship to football, it seemed that most English speaking fans who actually had heard of the 19-year-old had only done so via the medium of computer games:

One United fan did manage to turn Martial's relative anonymity within the beautiful game into a terrific Arsenal burn:

"

Arsenal fans - '' Who is Martial ?'' He's the player that was part of the Monaco team that knocked your team out of the champions league

— Matthew (@carrick_fan) August 31, 2015"

As the deal neared completion and the player was spotted at Carrington getting ready to cough for the doctor, the jokes and memes flowed:

"

Didn't want Pedro for 30 Million but Martial for 50 Million makes sense pic.twitter.com/ktTT9K7IMQ

— HÖwYÖuDÖin (@Youteecrush) August 31, 2015"

"

36 million pounds may seem like a lot for Anthony Martial, but Manchester United fans have to feel good about those 11 career goals he has

— Nate Scott (@aNateScott) August 31, 2015"

"

#MCFC players' response to #MUFC's capture of Anthony Martial. #transferdeadlineday http://t.co/geCmbSsfEu

— AFCPressWatch™ (@AFCPressWatch) August 31, 2015"

"

Sky just said this Martial lad has been called the next Henry Still laughing at Utd are we 

— Net Spend Champs (@bradders1066) August 31, 2015"

"

Martial 80M.. pic.twitter.com/YBbgwCQYpU

— EH10 (@_cbnt) August 31, 2015"

"

monaco : martial c'est 40 millions united : 60 millions monaco : ???? united : bon, 70 millions

— zozo carneiro™ (@zoninoz) August 31, 2015"

"

Anthony Martial vs Ford Mondeo. pic.twitter.com/X8cXiHO8tW

— Troll Football (@Troll__Football) August 31, 2015"

"

It's the remix to ignition, Louis Van Gaal edition, Let's sign Martial for £36 million, And play him out of position pic.twitter.com/CPWBBobTqt

— Brad (@Spursesque) August 31, 2015"

Some Manchester United fans were very pleased by the big-money deal, but it seemed that most were not too content:

"

I remember the last time we got "The next Henry" #MUFC pic.twitter.com/GXZN7dHvQO

— #Mufc (@ManUtd_memories) August 31, 2015"

Supporters of other clubs and several football pundits also expressed their reservations:

With the transfer window slamming shut on Tuesday evening, a certain phrase crept up again and again in relation to the deal:

"

The fact United wouldn't pay €30m for Pedro but will pay €50m for 19-year-old uncapped Martial screams panic buy. #Martial

— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ96) August 31, 2015"

"

If Martial for £36 Million isn't a panic buy then I don't know what is

— David. (@davidhaley_) August 31, 2015"

Monaco, meanwhile, may have decimated their team, but the cash flow looks to be extremely healthy in the principality right now:

"

EuroSport: Monaco's sales this summer... Martial €80m Kondogbia €30m Kurzawa €25m Carrasco €20m Abdennour €20m Ocampos €7.5m Total €182.5m

— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) August 31, 2015"

So, we already have the "BBC" and "MSN," and thanks to United's dealings there's now a chance that a new acronym will enter the lexicon:

If that isn't worth £36 million, then we don't know what is.

Follow @RyanJayBailey