Anthony Martial has praised Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo for his hard work but believes club top-goalscorer Wayne Rooney as the best he has played with.

The French attacker was set for a bigger role this season at Old Trafford after falling out of favour and being sent on loan to Sevilla last term.

New manager Erik ten Hag played Martial against Liverpool in the team’s 2-1 victory, in which he picked up an assist, but injuries have limited him from making any more appearances this season.

Speaking about his team-mates, Martial was happy to laud Ronaldo as he watches him in awe at the gym.

He told France Football: ‘He’s super humble – and what a hard worker.

‘We often speak when we are at the gym in the morning before going to training and I would watch what he was doing. That’s only logical, it’s Cristiano Ronaldo!’

Despite the praise for the five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, Martial says the best player he has played alongside is Wayne Rooney.

He said: ‘We have spoken about being genuine and so I can speak about Wayne Rooney.

‘He’s the best player I have played with. He’s always playing for the team, always at 100 per cent, no fuss. A monster. And a model as a footballer.’

Martial also opened up on his struggles at Man United, suggesting that he has often played while carrying an injury on the request of former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

He said: ‘For the last two seasons, I have regularly played injured. People don’t know about that. I couldn’t accelerate during the four months of the covid season. But Solskjaer told me he needed me, so I played. Given my game, if I cannot accelerate then it becomes very complicated.

‘But the coach did not bother to tell the media and obviously I ended up getting injured. I took it very badly. I had a feeling of injustice.

‘You are being asked to sacrifice yourself for the team – and then you are dismissed. For me, it is almost treachery. That’s what I hate. I can be blamed – but not for being fake.’