Anthony Martial's goal against Newcastle cost Manchester United a stunning £8.7million

The Frenchman netted the equaliser on 76 minutes before Alexis Sanchez snatched the 3-2 comeback win in injury time.

The goal could have been saved Jose Mourinho his job, with sack rumours affecting the players the morning of the game.

But it came at a price with United having to wire Martial’s former club Monaco another instalment on his once-record breaking fee.

Martial became the most expensive teenager in the world when United agreed a fee rising to £57.6million with Monaco in 2015.

The Red Devils paid £36m up front with the rest dependent on performance.

Martial’s strike against the Toon cost them a further £8.7m as the forward had netted 25  Premier League goals before 2019.

It was a close-run thing in the end whether that bonus would be paid.

In fact Martial had not struck in the Premier League since putting one past Burnley on January 20.

Monaco will be paid another £8.7m if Martial reaches 25 caps for France — he is currently on 18.

And there is a final payment due if Martial is nominated for the Ballon d’Or.

Mourinho’s post-match words on the forward  reflect that he is still a way from that — and showed the wounds are not completely healed between the pair.

But he  believes the former Monaco forward is now a more complete player than the one he inherited from Louis van Gaal two seasons ago.

Mourinho said: “Anthony Martial is improving, he is doing different things than before.

“He is a more complete player than before but he needs to improve. He has a huge talent and he wants it, which is a good thing.”

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