Manchester United striker Anthony Martial is not "ruthless enough in front of goal" to be labelled world class, according to former Premier League ace Darren Bent.
Martial has enjoyed an excellent campaign as the Red Devils' main centre-forward, scoring 17 goals during his most prolific Premier League season to date.
The Frenchman has also shone in Europa League competition, scoring four goals in six appearances.
But Martial drew criticism after the quarter-final victory over Copenhagen on Monday, during which he cut a frustrated figure in front of goal despite United going into the match as strong favourites.
And Bent believes the 24-year-old is yet to show the instinctive finishing expected of a world-class striker such as England captain Harry Kane.
“I think he’s a very good footballer, he’s got fantastic feet, but I still don’t think he’s ruthless enough in front of goal,” the former England striker told talkSPORT .
“He’s not world class, not yet. You can’t start calling him world class after one good season. Robert Lewandowski is world class. Harry Kane is world class.
“If he can consistently keep putting these goals in over a number of years then of course you can put him in there, but not yet.
“Martial shows flashes of brilliance at times, but if you were to put Kane in those positions last night how many of those chances would he have scored? Probably all of them, because that’s how ruthless he is.”
Fellow talkSPORT presenter Jason Cundy echoed Bent's comments and claimed United should be looking to buy a new No9.
Cundy added: “Even though they’re going for Sancho, and I understand why they’re going for him, I think they still need a striker.
“I feel they’re still just a striker away from having some sort of real impact up top.
“They need something different in tight games, if that was a league game they would have dropped points last night.”
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