Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling has hailed teammate Anthony Martial for making an explosive start to the 2017-18 campaign.
Martial struggled for consistency during the 2016-17 campaign, and it had been claimed that the Frenchman could leave Old Trafford during the summer transfer window.
Man United refused to entertain any interest in the 21-year-old, however, and the Red Devils have been rewarded by the attacker’s impressive start to the season.
Martial has scored five times and provided five assists in eight Man United appearances this term, and was again in fine form against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Smalling has claimed that Martial has been one of the club’s most impressive performers since the start of pre-season, and the England centre-back is pleased that he only has to come up against the former AS Monaco forward in training.
Smalling told MUTV:
“Right from pre-season, Anthony’s been leading the way in training. He’s terrifying one-v-one. I’m glad he’s on my team.”
Man United will enter Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace knowing that a win would temporarily move them three points clear at the top of the table.






