Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Anthony Martial is the only player in the current squad who strikes fear into opposing sides.

Louis van Gaal's side are heading for one of their biggest tests of the season against fierce rivals Manchester City on Sunday as they look to move level on points with leaders Arsenal by claiming a victory in the derby.

Despite a solid start to the campaign, Ferdinand has suggested that Martial's importance to the club proves that Van Gaal is lacking players capable of changing games.

"When the opposition teamsheet comes in from the referee's room there were times back in the day when you thought 'Oh no' or 'this is going to be a tough game'," Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles with United, told the Sunday People.

"If Chelsea had Arjen Robben, Damien Duff and Didier Drogba all playing you knew you had to be on it.

"But with this Manchester United team I don't know if there are any ­players – apart from Martial – whose name you look at on the teamsheet and say 'he can hurt us if we give him too much time'.

Martial has scored five goals in his first nine games for United.