Anthony Martial to Manchester United: Career Background, Video of Monaco Starlet

Manchester United are reportedly nearing a big-money move for Monaco starlet Anthony Martial as they desperately bid to improve their firepower up front before the transfer window closes.

French radio station RMC (h/t Get French Football) and Sky Sports Football reported the news:

So just who is the man United are splashing the cash on?

The 19-year-old striker began his career at Lyon, where he made his debut in the Europa League aged 17.

After four goalless senior appearances for the French giants, he was soon snapped up by then-Monaco manager Claudio Ranieri in the summer of 2013.

In his first season at the club, the youngster featured for just 560 minutes across 11 appearances in Ligue 1 and scored twice, as well as grabbing one assist.

Martial enjoyed a more significant run in the team last season and racked up 12 goals and five assists in all competitions. As WhoScored.com notes, the striker stood out among Europe's other top young talents:

Here are some of the 19-year-old's highlights from last year's campaign:

According to Laure James of the Daily Mail, the Frenchman typically draws comparisons with Thierry Henry, first and foremost from his France under-21 coach Pierre Mankowski, who cites his "'incredible acceleration, power' and his ability to shoot from distance" as reminiscent of the former Premier League star.

Former Monaco CEO Tor-Kristian Karlsen outlines the player's other strengths:

Karlsen also notes the areas of Martial's game still in need of improvement:

As for the player's attitude, James describes the youngster as tending to be somewhat lackadaisical, with the forward himself admitting he's always been that way. "If I didn't really turn up in a training session, I wouldn't force myself to," he said. 

United boss Louis van Gaal will no doubt demand plenty of application from the youngster on the pitch and in training, so Martial will need to adapt quickly to his new environment.

Such a big-money move for a relatively unproven player has naturally attracted scepticism, with football writer and broadcaster Matt Spiro and the Guardian's Jonathan Wilson among those baffled by the fees involved:

The reaction is understandable, but with four years left on his current deal and United desperate for another striker, Monaco were always going to drive a hard bargain.

Martial has already got off the mark this season with a goal and two assists in all competitions, so United will be hoping he can hit the ground running when the Premier League returns after the international break.

If they can bed him into the team quickly and if he can handle the inevitable pressure that comes with his price tag, he can become a very useful acquisition for the Red Devils.

Further, at such a tender age, he still has his entire career ahead of him, so United could be reaping the rewards of his capture for a long time to come.