The clock is ticking for Anthony Martial who is under his last season of the contract at the English club. The latest news surrounding the French striker has been revealed by an exclusive report by renowned website, The Athletic.
David Ornstein has revealed an exclusive story via The Athletic that Manchester United do not intend to activate the option to extend Anthony Martial’s contract. The current deal of the French striker expires in the summer of 2024. If the situation remains the same, the former French international will leave the club as a free agent.
Man Utd may sell the 28-year-old in the winter transfer window if they receive good offers.. The forward has made 13 appearances in the Premier League this season, scoring only a single goal in the process.
Finally he’s leaving
— Wealth (@wealth_united_) December 11, 2023
Earlier reports pointed out that Manchester United is willing to sell Martial as per the wishes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is expected to take charge of the club after buying a 25% stake at the English club. Martial was named as a part of the trio that can be moved out of the club in January.
This marriage should be divorced…it’s long overdue 🤷♂️
— Heavenly🕊 (@obiocele) December 11, 2023
Online fans were in favor of this latest decision from Manchester United. Comments like “Damn it’s over,” “Finally he’s leaving,” “This marriage should be divorced…it’s long overdue” and “Thanks for the service Ice cold Martial, will he be missed, I don’t think so” echoed the sentiments of the fans.
Anthony Martial numbers with Manchester United
Martial joined Manchester United back on deadline day in the summer of 2015. The French striker was 19 years old at the time and was talked about the next thing in French soccer. The English club caved in on the hype and paid $65 million, plus another $22 million in bonuses.
These sums for a 19-year-old were mammoth at the time, which put immense pressure on the French striker. In the first season, Martial made 56 appearances for Manchester United and scored 18 goals and 11 assists. However, things went downhill from that point onwards. In the next season, Martial scored only eight goals and eight assists in 42 games and only 11 goals in 2017/18.
Martial finally leaving
pic.twitter.com/vQezLpaa3C— 🌊™️ (@RealistGlizzy) December 11, 2023
The general hype around the youngster started to die down as other talents as Marcus Rashford emerged into the picture. Martial wasn’t able to cement his place in the starting place under various managers. He was provided a lifeline with a loan move to Sevilla in January 2022.
In the six months at the Spanish club, Martial played only 12 games and scored only two goal contributions. The French striker’s inconsistent performance since his return to Manchester United in 2022 has left the club’s board hesitant to extend his contract.
In almost nine years at the club, Martial has scored only 90 goals and 55 assists in 370 games, which hasn’t lived up to the hype and the price tag of the French striker. He will go down as another major dud in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at Manchester United.