Anthony Martial is a decent player, of that there is little doubt.
In fact, most Premier League teams would have the Manchester United winger in their squad if the opportunity presented itself, and many of Europe's top clubs would take him as well, if the price was right.
But is he among Europe's elite players? No. Is he among Manchester United's best players? Not consistently, no.
Ask his management company USFA, however, and you will receive a very different perception of their client to the majority of the football world.
So what has USFA management said?
It has said an awful lot without actually using many words. Just take a look at the following Instagram post...
As you can see, it compared Martial's United goalscoring record with that of club legends David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and, remarkably, Cristiano Ronaldo during their first four seasons at Old Trafford.
Accompanying the image is the caption "La critique est facile, la vérité sur le terrain", which translates to "criticising is easy, the truth is on the pitch".
What is the truth on the pitch?
To put it simply, Martial's contribution has been nothing like that of the aforementioned club legends.
For a start, Beckham and Giggs played as more conventional wide midfielders in contrast to Martial's station further up the pitch. Then there is the consideration that those two were also far more team-orientated, with a stronger work ethic and made an impact in many areas of the pitch.
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United players set for the axe:
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ASHLEY YOUNG: Age looks to be catching up with the 33-year-old full-back, whose eight-year spell at Old Trafford could come to an end this summer if United seek young blood. AFP -
ANTONIO VALENCIA: Like Young, the Ecuadorean is now 33 and in the twilight of his Manchester United career. Has rarely featured this season under either Jose Mourinho, who was sacked in December, or his replacement, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Reuters -
FRED: Harsh to judge the Brazilian's talent after less than one season, but hard to argue against many fans' frustrations that the midfielder does not impact on many games. Reuters -
ALEXIS SANCHEZ: There is no way to sugar coat it: the Chilean's arrival from Arsenal in January has been nothing short of a disaster. Few United fans would be sad to see him leave in the summer. Getty Images -
ERIC BAILLY: His season can largely be summed up by his performance against Newcastle United earlier in the season when the Ivorian defender was hauled off after 19 minutes with United 2-0 down. They went on to win 3-2. Getty Images -
MATTEO DARMIAN: The Italian joined United in 2015 from Torino and has never impressed. Getty Images -
MARCUS ROJO: Decent on his day but the Argentina international has been injury prone since moving to Old Trafford in 2014. United fans have never seen him at his best for long enough spells. Getty Images -
JUAN MATA: Although a class act, the Spanish playmaker has never quite hit the heights expected of him when United made him their record €46 million signing from Chelsea in January 2014. Getty Images -
NEMANJA MATIC: Took responsibility for an abject performance against Everton in which Gylfi Sigurdsson left him trailing before firing in an unstoppable shot that put the Toffees 2-0 up on Sunday. The midfielder who once covered so much ground looks static. Getty Images -
ROMELU LUKAKU: A goals return this season of 15 is respectable when you consider the Belgian lost his place in the starting line-up to Marcus Rashford. However, there are still too many massive holes in his stand-up game, as evident in the 22 times he lost possession against Everton. Reuters -
DAVID DE GEA: United fans would be loath to lose one of their genuine world-class talents. However, the Spaniard is struggling as much as any United player at present. Real Madrid may look to revive their long-standing interest in the summer if Thibaut Courtois is moved on. Getty Images -
ANDER HERRERA: Underrated, the Spanish midfielder adds bite to United's midfield but looks set for a summer move with Paris Saint-Germain the likely destination. Getty Images
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But Martial's goal record is better than Ronaldo's, right?
In this instance, yes. Martial has averaged a goal every 3.6 matches. Giggs's ratio was one every five matches, while Ronaldo notched one every 3.8 matches during his first four seasons.
But look how Ronaldo then exploded into a goalscoring machine for United and is now past 600 career goals. Is the same about to happen to Martial? Unlikely.
In his defence, the Frenchman, 23, is playing in a mediocre United side, whereas the likes of Beckham, Giggs and Ronaldo were in title-winning teams.
Why is Martial's management company on the defensive?
Because their client has come in for fierce criticism in recent weeks, not least after he was caught on camera during the warm-up before the recent Chelsea home match doing absolutely nothing while his teammates got into their stride.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer publicly defended the player, who has scored only three times since December, saying: “Anthony’s got goals in him, it’s up to us to move forward and get that into him again. I’m sure we’ll see him scoring goals again in the future.”
However, many fans are frustrated with Martial, who cost £36 million (Dh172.7m) from Monaco in 2015 in a deal which could rise to £58m. His form has constantly blown hot and cold, with this season being a prime example.
He netted six goals in seven games during a stretch in October and November and subsequently signed a new contract in January, keeping him at the club until 2024. Then his form went missing again.
Will United keep him this summer?
Having signed the new contract, yes. But who would pay what United would value him at anyway? Martial has the potential to be one of the top players in Europe, but, at 23, he can't keep relying on the "potential" tag for much longer.
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25 players available on a free transfer this summer
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Ander Herrera: The Spaniard's contract standoff at Manchester United has rumbled on for months amid widespread reports that he will join PSG in the summer. Hasn't quite reached the top level during his time at Old Trafford, but will be sought after by Europe's elite as a dependable midfield option. EPA -
Adrien Rabiot: Banned from playing by PSG for not signing a new deal, there's no question of him moving clubs this summer - it's just a case of which one. His mother and agent labelled him a "prisoner" at the club. Swap deal for Herrera at Manchester United perhaps? AP Photo -
Juan Mata: Have Manchester United had value for money after he signed for £37m in January 2014? I'd say opinion would be split. Contributes vital goals and assists but they come in fits and bursts. At 31, no shortage of offers if he leaves. EPA -
Diego Godin: A rock at the back for nearly a decade at Atletico Madrid, who offer just a one-year deals to those aged over 30. Linked with a move to Inter in Serie A where a longer contract is said to be in the offing. AFP -
Dani Alves: The experienced PSG full back must be running out of room in his trophy cabinet after sustained success across spells at Barcelona, Juventus and now in France. Will he move to another top team or take on a fresh challenge lower down? AFP -
Daniele De Rossi: 'Mr Roma' has played more than 600 times for the Italian club but his time could be up this summer after just 16 league starts in this campaign. Now 35, it is not clear whether he will move into the dugout, carry on elsewhere or stay for another season. Getty Images -
Santi Cazorla: The Spaniard has put his nightmare injury behind him and impressed at Villarreal. Other clubs will have noted his sustained fitness this season and at 34 he could have a few more seasons left in him. AFP -
Franck Ribery: After more than a decade at Bayern Munich, the 36-year-old Frenchman has still been a regular this season and has scored five goals. Linked with a move to Qatar. Getty Images -
Arjen Robben: Bayern's other elder statesman set for the exit, like Ribery he has also put in sterling service across a decade. Hit by injury this season, the 35-year-old has still scored five times and is just short of a century of league goals for the German giants. Getty Images -
Max Kruse: The Bundesliga player of the month for March has been enjoying an impressive season at Werder Bremen and will be on the radar of a host of top European clubs. The 31-year-old has spent his whole career in Germany and this summer could be his last chance of a stab at the big time. EPA -
Fernando Llorente: It's not easy being in the shadow of Harry Kane, as the Spaniard has found out. Just two Premier League goals across two seasons is proof of that and Spurs could look for a younger, more mobile bench warmer for next season. Getty Images -
Shinji Okazaki: His spell at Leicester has gone downhill since their incredible title win in 2016 when he was a key foil for Jamie Vardy. No goals this season and a lack of action. He could be an attractive option for promoted teams. Action Images via Reuters -
Samir Nasri: The Frenchman has quality but has struggled to show it since joining West Ham on a short term deal in January. He's made just six appearances and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Hammers wave goodbye. Getty Images -
Antonio Valencia: The winger converted into a right-back has barely featured for Manchester United this season and is poised for the exit. He should be able to pick from a wide range of options around the world. Getty Images -
Andy Carroll: The injury-prone West Ham striker has suffered another injury-hit season which has brought zero league goals. A class act when fit, but who will take the risk? Action Images via Reuters -
Alberto Moreno: Overtaken at Liverpool by the Premier League's best left back, Andrew Robertson. Regularly, albeit somewhat bizarrely given some of his performances, linked with a move to Barcelona. Getty Images -
Vincent Kompany: Close to securing another league title at Manchester City, it is hard to imagine the 33-year-old playing anywhere else. His injury problems have subsided allowing him to make 28 appearances so far this season. Will surely stay. Action Images via Reuters -
Gary Cahill: Overlooked this season but at 33 he should have time for another stint in the Premier League or top flight abroad. Has been linked with West Ham. Reuters -
Nacho Monreal: Still a regular at Arsenal who are yet to activate a contract extension clause. Linked with a move back to Spain, the 33 year old has been a decent servant at left back for the past seven seasons. Reuters -
James Milner: Versatile, accurate from the penalty spot and could be a title winner with Liverpool in the next few weeks. Is there a more attractive free transfer? The Reds will surely look to tie him down for another year in the summer. Action Images via Reuters -
Daniel Sturridge: The Liverpool striker's career has gone in a strange direction. He was established in the England team and formed a super partnership with Luis Suarez at Anfield, but then he was blighted by injury. Now he plays a bit part role behind Salah, Firmino and Mane, but does he have enough left in the tank to be first choice at another club? Hard to predict where he will be come next season. Reuters -
Danny Welbeck: Like Sturridge he was a mainstay in the England team until injury put the brakes on and has had to watch others move ahead of him at Arsenal. A fresh start and a leading role elsewhere may do him some good. Reuters -
Olivier Giroud: Top scorer in the Europa League this season but has struggled to net in the Premier League where he is often overlooked. Will make a fantastic free signing if Chelsea choose not to keep him and clubs will be queuing up. Reuters -
Mario Balotelli: The past three years in France have seen the Italian striker back to somewhere near his best. Eight goals in 12 games at Marseille is a fine return after he joined in January but whether he stays on remains to be seen. AFP
