Anthony Martial’s Manchester United debut was the stuff of dreams.
The 19-year-old forward was less than half an hour into his Premier League debut when he embarrassed Martin Skrtel en route to a fine solo goal in United’s 3-1 victory over Liverpool.
But he’s not the first top-flight striker to make a near-instant impact on his team’s fortunes.
Federico Macheda
With nine games left in the 2008/09 season, Manchester United were on the ropes. Back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Fulham had left their title challenge in jeopardy, and it got even worse when John Carew and Gabby Agbonlahor gave Aston Villa a 2-1 lead at Old Trafford.
Enter Macheda. The 17-year-old Italian left the bench shortly after Villa’s second for his United debut, and clearly understood what the club was all about.
After Cristiano Ronaldo equalised, Macheda went on to score a winner deep into Fergie-time as the Red Devils got their season back on track, ultimately winning the title with a game to spare.
Danny Rose
As debuts go, there are few settings in English football more daunting than a North London Derby.
Danny Rose could have been forgiven for trying to keep a low profile, but instead he scored what will likely remain the best goal of his career, rifling home a first-time volley from 30 yards.
Since then he’s only pushed on, setting a fine example that any young footballer would be proud to follow.
Thierry Henry
Dream debuts aren’t solely the domain of youngsters, as Thierry Henry showed for Arsenal against Leeds.
The Frenchman was making his second debut for the London club in an FA Cup third round tie after returning on loan from the New York Red Bulls, and it was like he’d never been away.
Ghosting onto an Alex Song pass and curling past Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, it meant as much to the Gunners legend as almost any one of the 200+ goals he scored in his first spell with the club.
