Man United are not planning on keeping Anthony Martial around beyond this summer.
Manchester United’s work in the transfer market has been awful over the last half-decade or so. More often than not, this club makes bad, overpriced deals, both in terms of transfer fees paid and contracts given out.
Perhaps no single player epitomises the problem more than Anthony Martial. A £50m transfer fee and multiple mega-money contracts handed out to the Frenchman. I don’t think it’s unfair to suggest he has not improved since joining the club almost ten years ago.
Recently, the striker has started two Premier League games and played without a care in the world. He and Erik ten Hag would get into it on the sidelines against Newcastle. He’d only last 55 minutes against Bournemouth before sulking off…
It’s no surprise then, to learn that United ‘do not intend’ to activate the one-year contract extension in the struggling star’s deal. Thus, he could be set to leave on a free next summer.
Before then, United will have one final chance to sell Martial for a fee, in the upcoming January window. At which point, Martial could also negotiate his next move on a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club.
Not only would United be ridding out some dead-wood, they’d also be freeing up some wage space and creating a place in the dressing room for a new attacking signing. If you’ve watched any football from the Reds this season, you’ll know that some extra quality is absolutely necessary in that area.
Rasmus Hojlund has looked bright but he’s still without a Premier League goal. He needs some serious help. Martial isn’t giving that to him. Talks of a move to sign Serhou Guirassy remain, though I’m not sure he’s the answer. Perhaps it’s best to stew on this one and wait until the summer, when more money will be available.
Do you think Man United will get any sort of transfer fee for Anthony Martial this January? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.