It appears highly improbable that Anthony Martial will feature for Manchester United in the future, as numerous reports suggest that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team are poised to facilitate his departure during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Manchester United made a significant investment in Martial, breaking records by paying Monaco an initial £36 million in September 2015 to secure his services. The potential total deal could have reached £58 million. Martial’s arrival at Old Trafford at the age of 19 generated immense excitement among fans due to his exceptional potential.
However, the French forward has failed to meet the lofty expectations placed upon him during his time in England. He has gradually slipped down the pecking order in recent seasons, with manager Erik ten Hag favoring other forwards like Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford.
This season, Martial has made 19 appearances for Manchester United across all competitions. Yet, he has only managed to score two goals and provide two assists during this time, with just six of his appearances lasting for an hour or more.
Speculation was rife during the January transfer window that Manchester United would offload Martial to recoup some of their investment, especially since his contract expires this summer. However, the 28-year-old remained at the club, indicating that a transfer is likely at the end of the season, although no formal offers have materialized despite his availability on a free transfer.
Football Insider has weighed in on the situation, asserting that Martial has probably played his final game for Manchester United. Despite undergoing surgery for a groin issue in January and expected to return to full fitness by April, his position in Ten Hag’s squad hierarchy suggests he may spend the remainder of the campaign on the bench.
This development does not concern Ratcliffe and INEOS, who are prepared for Manchester United to incur a significant financial loss by allowing Martial to leave for free this summer. The club stands to save approximately £250,000 per week in wages upon Martial’s departure, funds that could be redirected towards new signings or rewarding existing high-performing players.
Ratcliffe and INEOS are determined to ensure that Manchester United’s future signings are more successful, aiming to avoid a situation similar to Martial’s tenure at the club.
However, Martial is not the sole forward facing uncertainty at Manchester United’s Theatre of Dreams. Sources indicate that new CEO Omar Berrada is dissatisfied with the hefty £86 million spent on right winger Antony, viewing it as poor value for money. Despite Antony’s contributions against Newport County, he was relegated to a substitute role against Fulham, with Ten Hag opting for teenager Omari Forson on the right flank, indicating a significant snub to Antony.