Manchester United: Anthony Martial named most valuable Under-21 player on earth

Anthony Martial had a barnstorming debut season at Man United (Getty)

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is the most valuable Under-21 player on the planet, according to a report by Soccerex.

The study, which uses Prime Time Sport’s Football Value Index, has valued the 20-year-old at £39.7million after an impressive debut season at Old Trafford.

Martial scored 17 goals in 49 appearances for the Red Devils and was also part of the France squad which reached the final of Euro 2016, only to be beaten by Portugal.

Many labeled Martial a ‘panic buy’ when United completed a last-minute £36m deal – which could rise to £56m – last summer but the young striker has proved the initial sceptics wrong.

The Frenchman’s team-mate at United, Marcus Rashford (£18.9m), also makes the cut in at seventh on the list, three places behind Tottenham Hotspur sensation Dele Alli (£28.8m).

Manchester City ace Kelechi Iheanacho is the Premier League’s only other representative in the top ten, with the report suggesting he is worth a rather sizeable £16.8m.

Schalke and Bayern Munich starlets Leroy Sane and Renato Sanches, who both starred at Euro 2016, make up the top three places with Martial.