DUBAI // Anthony Martial needs to be provided time at Manchester United to prove he can justify his huge price tag, according to Nicolas Anelka.
The 19-year-old France forward made the surprise switch to the Premier League from Ligue 1's Monaco on transfer deadline day last week for an initial £36 million (Dh203.4m), making him the most expensive teenager in world football. The fee could rise to £59m (€80m).
In agreeing to the four-year deal – there is an option for another year – Martial became United’s third costliest player after Angel di Maria and Juan Mata.
The size of the transfer fee has been questioned, since Martial had completed only two full seasons at Monaco. Recruited from Lyon in June 2013, he scored 11 goals in 42 matches across all competitions for the principality club last season. On Monday, Martial made his second appearance for the France national team.
Anelka, the former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea striker, is aware of the pressure placed on Martial since he too moved from France to England at a young age. The Frenchman signed for Arsenal in 1997, age 17, for £500,000.
He recognises also the burden of a substantial transfer fee: Anelka joined Madrid for £22m in 1999, a few months after his 20th birthday.
“It’s a crazy money; big, big money and big pressure for him,” said Anelka, currently in Dubai with Mumbai City, the Indian Super League franchise. “I think it’ll be too much pressure for him. Because he’s young he’ll have to prove his value, that he’s worth €80m. It’s going to be tough for him.
“But he’s signing for a good club and I hope they will be able to make him feel he has time to improve and to settle into the club, the league and the country.
“With the money paid, it’s not easy to show straight away what your capabilities are, so United will need to be patient. When you go for this kind of money you don’t get time, but they will have to give him time to become the player they want him to be.”
Anelka said the impact of the transition from France to England should not be underestimated, despite him appearing to settle quickly at Arsenal. Signed in February 1997, he was awarded a regular starting berth the following November and went on to play an integral role in the North London side’s 1997/98 Premier League and FA Cup double-winning team.
Anelka, though, says Martial’s price tag means he will have to adapt even faster to the English top flight.
“It’s hard, very hard,” Anelka said. “It took me one year to become good on the pitch and also happy both on the pitch and outside it. It’s not easy. And even more so for Martial because when I came I cost £500,000. Now it’s €80m.
“So it’s going to be hard for him. The expectation will be big and everyone will recognise him as the most expensive transfer in England. It’s a big pressure.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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Director: Elie Semaan
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How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
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THE BIO
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Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
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Rating: 4.5/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Profile of MoneyFellows
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Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
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