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Schneiderlin: Rooney asked me who Anthony Martial was upon hearing of transfer

Mike DiNovo / Reuters

Like many Manchester United supporters, star striker Wayne Rooney had no idea who costly summer signing Anthony Martial was.

Rooney - who was once the Premier League's most expensive teenager - needed a little help from teammate Morgan Schneiderlin in identifying the 19-year-old Martial.

"To be honest, (on Sunday) on the plane, Wayne Rooney came to speak to me and asked me who Martial was, because the English press had started to speak," Schneiderlin told reporters in France, courtesy of ESPNFC.

The surprise deal for Martial is reportedly worth in the neighbourhood of £39 million, as gaffer Louis van Gaal is looking to add to an attack thin on depth since the summer departures of of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie.

Schneiderlin, who as a member of France's national set-up has more intimate knowledge of Martial than most, was quick to vouch for United's newest player.

"I told him (Rooney) he’s a great player with great potential, who has played some good matches with Monaco last season and the beginning of this."

The ex-Southampton man continued, "I told him he is technical and powerful. A little like Therry Henry, even if it’s the press who are making that comparison."

When asked about the astronomical fee associated with Martial's move from the principality side to United, Schneiderlin had some poignant remarks for his newest teammate.

"The size of the fee? If he wants my advice, it is to ignore it," the 25-year-old holding midfielder proceeded, "The media will talk a lot and will expect him to score many goals. But he must remember his qualities and play like he knows how.

"He can’t be paralysed by it. I think everything will go well."

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