Rio Ferdinand has responded to the recent comparisons many have drawn between new Manchester United signing Anthony Martial and Thierry Henry.

In fact, the former United defender believes that the striker’s style more closely resembles Nicolas Anelka than Henry.

Speaking recently, Ferdinand said, “People are saying Henry because he’s more recent but I see more Nicolas Anelka when I played him as a kid, which is a big compliment.

“He’s very quick and wants to run in behind, which was Anelka’s game.

“At his best, Anelka was that direct runner behind defences in those early days at Arsenal. Martial reminds me of that.

“He doesn’t want it too much to feet, he wants the ball behind where he’s dangerous. He still has a long way to go to those levels but has started the way anyone would have dreamed of.

“I definitely share the feeling of excitement about him.”

Ferdinand added, “Everyone was a bit sceptical about him at first after all the talk about the transfer fee.

“But the guy has come in and just isn’t fazed.

“He’s come into a huge, huge arena and hit the ground running.

“The goal I was most impressed with was his first at Southampton, that composure under immense pressure.”

Martial has now scored four goals in four games and, as much as I hate to admit it, his goalscoring technique bears a striking resemblance to King Henry. Before he’d even played a match for the Red Devils people in France had already drawn the comparison and it doesn’t look likely to go away any time soon if he continues to score in such a manner.

Before joining Real Madrid in 1999, Anelka made 65 appearances for Arsenal and scored 23. Although I can see for Rio is saying, in my opinion, it’s impossible to watch Martial’s early goals for United and not see a young Thierry Henry.