Anthony Martial: Manchester United Unlikely To Renew Contract
Erik ten Hag suggested that Manchester United and Anthony Martial were in conversations over a new contract, but the general feeling is that will not be the case. Martial is fully expected to leave United in the coming months, and could even be shown the exit door from the club within this January Transfer Window.
The Manchester United manager has a habit of saying one thing in the media when the reality of the situation is different. Similar happened at the end of last season in regards to David De Gea, when Erik ten Hag stated United wanted to keep the goalkeeper beyond his contract expiry date. That turned out to be untrue, and likewise is anticipated to happen with Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial Set To Leave:
United are heading in a new direction under the guidance of INEOS, and the big-money wages that have been a staple of their recruitment policy in the past are not expected to be part of their future. Martial is a massive example of that, and United will be eager to get his wage off the current bill of players and move towards the future.
The club is facing a similar situation with Raphael Varane. Varane currently earns over £17m a year at United, and they are keen to either let the French defender go or negotiate a new contract on lesser terms. Martial however is unlikely to be afforded a new contract on lower terms, with United ready to allow him to leave either on a free transfer or for money within this window.
Jose Mourinho Wanted Him Gone:
It’s not the first time United have flirted with letting Anthony Martial leave the club, but it was the manager previously who wanted him gone, with the board refusing to allow it. Jose Mourinho wanted to sell Anthony Martial in 2018 but wasn’t allowed to sell the Frenchman due to Joel Glazer believing Martial was the Pele of Manchester United. The owners at the club truly believed he could eventually trigger to Balon’Dor clause in his contract, and would not sanction a sale due to their views on the player.
Martial Had His Moments:
Martial had his moments for Manchester United and he is by no means one of the worst transfers in the history of the club. He’s one of the better ones since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. One of the most iconic moments was his FA Cup Semi-Final goal against Everton. If Martial had done nothing else during his time at the club, that one moment was a feeling not many players at the club have given the fans during the last decade of desolation.
The debut goal will also always live long in the memories of the fans. Martin Tyler’s cry of joy as he edged around Martin Skrtel and slapped the ball into the back of the Liverpool net is iconic, and Martial made United fans believe for a long time during his early days. He’s also the 17th-highest scorer in Manchester United history, having scored more goals for the club than David Beckham, Eric Cantona, and Dwight Yorke.
Interested Clubs:
United is yet to enter into talks with any club over the sale of Martial, but there has been rumored interest from Inter Milan. The Saudi League could also be a possible destination, but any move there would most likely come in the summer as opposed to the January Window.
Turkish clubs have also been eyeing a move for the former Monaco man for a while. Martial’s former team-mate Fred went that route away from United to Fenerbache this summer and is enjoying one of the best periods of his career thus far over in Turkey. They are also said to be interested in signing Martial. The striker’s biggest hurdle may be getting a club to pay his £250,000-a week wage. David De Gea has found that a particularly tough subject to get a club to pander to since his contract expired last summer at United, with the Spaniard still without a club.
For now, Martial is most likely to leave Manchester United. The words of Erik ten Hag yesterday were not supposed to be turned into a breaking story stating a new contract was in the works. Unfortunately, not everyone in the media adheres to the same principles.
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