Paul Scholes sets an ambitious scoring target for Anthony Martial at Manchester United

Paul Scholes has backed Anthony Martial to become a 25-goal a season striker and he believes he can reach those heights under Jose Mourinho’s watch at Manchester United.

The French striker turned in a sparkling performance as United beat Saint-Etienne 3-0 in the Europa League at Old Trafford, with Martial given a standing ovation by the Old Trafford crowd and a warm embrace by Mourinho he was substituted late on.

It was a second successive eye-catching display from the 21-year-old striker, who also impressed in last Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win against Watford.

Martial has been criticised by Mourinho this season and publicly urged to avoid the advice of his agent if he wants to make a success of his career at Old Trafford, yet former United hero Scholes believes the Frenchman has the talent to develop into a consistent scoring threat if he fine tunes his game.

“We’ve all seen he’s capable of scoring goals, beating players – but we’re not seeing it enough,” said Scholes in his role as a BT Sport pundit.

“He’s still a young player, we have to remember that. I think when you look at wide players, they’re always the most inconsistent on the pitch, anyway. I think that will come with him.

“If that does come and the confidence really comes out of him, I think he’s got 25 goals a season in him.”