Manchester United forward Anthony Martial never felt burdened by £58m transfer fee

Anthony Martial insists he never felt the pressure of being football's most expensive teenager at Manchester United, following his transfer from Monaco in the summer. Martial moved to Old Trafford for a fee that could rise to £58m ($84m), according to BBC Sport, in September 2015, but has excelled in his first season in England.

The 20-year-old netted 15 goals in his maiden campaign with the club, including a stoppage time winner against Everton to send Louis van Gaal's team into the FA Cup final. Van Gaal was heavily criticised for the addition of a player who netted just 11 times in 42 appearances in his final season in Ligue 1, having offloaded both Radamel Falcao and Javier Hernandez in the summer.

But Martial, who scored on his United debut in a win over rivals Liverpool, admits he never felt the burden of his hefty fee. The France international says his drive to assist a team that has struggled at times was his only motivation.

"I never feel any extra pressure at all," he told the United official website. "The only pressure I feel is the pressure I put on myself to do well and to work hard throughout the season to help the team. That's what drives me on. I think in that respect it [the price tag] has not affected me."

Though there is little doubt that Martial will play a role in United's future, the same cannot necessarily be said about Juan Mata, whose future is uncertain amid the possible arrival of Jose Mourinho. The Daily Mail understands Mourinho would want to sell Mata for a second time, having offloaded him while at Chelsea, should he take over from Van Gaal in the summer.

But the Spain international has no plans to uproot from United and says he feels at home in Manchester. "I feel really good here," he told the Manchester Evening News. "I have to say I am discovering more and more places in the city and I like it. The people have been good to me, they are warm people in Manchester. I feel happy here and in the city."