Zlatan Ibrahimovic is known for his big ego (Picture: Getty)

Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre believes Anthony Martial can be a better player for the club next season, particularly after the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The France international failed to build on a hugely impressive first season at Old Trafford, scoring just 8 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions and looking under-confident on the pitch.

Silvestre, however, believes the 21-year-old remains a huge talent up front and that he just needs to get over a number of difficulties he suffered last season.

One of them, he says, is the imposing aura of veteran striker Ibrahimovic, who spent a season with the Red Devils and rather stole the limelight by starting nearly every game in the centre-forward position, shifting the likes of Martial and Marcus Rashford out wide or onto the bench.

Anthony Martial couldn’t reach his best level last season (Picture: Getty)

Speaking about Martial’s potential, Silvestre admitted the environment might now be better for him to succeed after the Swede’s departure at the end of his contract.

Martial Man Utd stats

2015/16: 17 goals

2016/17: 8 goals

‘Anthony has reached the level of Manchester United and the French national team, so I think he will improve his game to perform at least at the same level as the first season,’ Silvestre said.

‘The turning point for me was the Euros in France. He was ­substituted in one game, he’d had a difficult first half, and after that he didn’t play ­any more.

Martial has been backed to kick on next season (Picture: Getty)

‘Sometimes, when you take a slap to the back of the head, it’s difficult to bounce back, and all season he was ­trying to get back to his best.’

He added: ‘Zlatan’s aura was big, his character, his ego, and what he was spreading around him was sometimes intimidating for the younger players.

‘But also it gives you an ­example to follow, so it was good to have him around.’

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