Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney said the club must keep disgruntled star Anthony Martial happy, as he reportedly seeks a move away from Old Trafford.
Martial is ready to quit United after his agent revealed last month that the 22-year-old wanted to leave in search of regular football.
The France forward – who has been linked with Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain – has become frustrated after finding opportunities limited under Jose Mourinho following the January arrival of Alexis Sanchez.
While Martial has struggled to perform consistently, United’s all-time leading scorer Rooney believes the Red Devils cannot afford to lose his quality.
“I think Martial, ability-wise, is incredible,” Rooney – now playing for MLS outfit DC United – told talkSPORT. “But I think it’s how do you get the best out of him?
“Knowing Anthony the way I know him I think if you can get the best out of him, he’s up there ability-wise with the best in the league.
“I think sometimes it is difficult to get to know him as a person, as a character because of the way he is.
“But I think once you do get to know him, you just keep him happy.”
Martial joined United from Ligue 1 side Monaco in 2015 for £36million, potentially rising to £58m.
Since moving to the Theatre of Dreams, Martial has scored 36 goals in 136 matches.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho warned Anthony Martial that “you cannot do whatever you want in life” as the disgruntled Frenchman eyes a departure from Old Trafford.
The France forward grew frustrated towards the end of the 2017-18 campaign after finding his chances limited following the arrival of Alexis Sanchez in January.
Martial started the 1-1 draw with America and the former Monaco youngster was in the line-up again on Sunday as United played out a scoreless stalemate against San Jose Earthquakes in Santa Clara, California.
“You cannot do whatever you want in life, I would love to arrive in Los Angeles, to train in Los Angeles and play all my five matches in Los Angeles, and then don’t travel, don’t change hotel and then go back to Manchester.
“I would like to play against Leicester on Sunday but I have to play on Friday, so you don’t get always in life what you want.”