Chris Smalling has praised Anthony Martial for the way that the Frenchman has settled into early life at Manchester United.

Martial arrived at Old Trafford from Monaco on the final day of the summer transfer window for an initial figure in the region of £36m.

The price-tag of the 19-year-old was criticised in various quarters, but he has hit four goals in his first five appearances for the Premier League club, including a debut goal against Liverpool.

Smalling has claimed that Martial is 'what the club needed', with his pace bringing a different dimension to the attack.

"If you could ask for a moment to announce yourself on the world stage, it would be in a massive game like Liverpool at home. It was a great moment and a lot of people took notice of how well he dribbled at players, how direct he was and how he took his goal," Smalling told United Review.

"That's something we've needed this season. He continued his good form by scoring twice at Southampton and again against Ipswich, so he's enjoyed a great start to his United career.

"In that snippet against Liverpool, you get a real idea of how he is. He is one who is very direct, he is willing to take on players and he is willing to take on that risk. I think, in the final third, it is an area where you can take that risk because you can't take it at the back. He looks a very sharp player."

Martial's transfer fee could eventually rise to a figure in the region of £59m.