[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast's Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba's haircuts to League Two relegation battles...

As debuts go, scoring in a 3-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford is the stuff of dreams for any Manchester United player. Anthony Martial's first game for the club essentially etched him into United's folklore forever, but things haven't quite panned out since then.

The France international has endured a frustratingly inconsistent career at the club, littered with great performances here, and woeful displays there. It has been part and parcel of the 23-year-old's journey since his move from AS Monaco as the world's most expensive teenager; indeed, those electric displays for the French side seem such a long time ago.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week...

But following the arrival of Daniel James from Swansea, Martial's career at Old Trafford really is up in the air. The Welsh wizard predominantly features from the left flank, and according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has already set the marker in training with his work ethic and attitude.

For Martial - valued at £54m by Transfermarkt - one of the big question marks has always been about his application. His languid personality certainly doesn't endear him to those who want 'blood and thunder' football every time a player steps out on to the pitch. But as his manager has publicly attested to, United need to be proactive with their work off the ball and that doesn't appear to be one of the Frenchman's strong suits.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Reports in previous transfer windows had even linked Martial with a move away, but he remained at Old Trafford as United hoped to still see the best out of him. Such were the club's high hopes for the forward that a clause was inserted in the deal to sign him that would see United pay extra money to Monaco had he been nominated for the Ballon d'Or award by June 2019.

Whilst United may have dodged a bullet in terms of avoiding paying out that particular bonus, Martial's inability to match that lofty ambition is a statement of the limited progress he has made at the club. As James aims to make his presence felt in his first season at the club, this really could be make-or-break for Martial at United.