Manchester United forward Antony Martial is experiencing arguably the worst season of his professional career so far. The 26-year-old French international has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford, especially after the arrivals of veterans Edison Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo.
What is Martial’s current situation?
This season, Martial has appeared just ten times across all competitions, with the majority of his appearances off the bench under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Nevertheless, his fortunes haven’t been any better under new boss Ralf Ragnick, who seems to be indifferent to the Frenchman’s situation.
It’s been only a few weeks since the German arrived in Manchester and his impact is already being felt at the Theatre of Dreams in two areas – the promotion of youth talent and the tightening of defensive structure. And it is the former that is evidently affecting Martial’s stance, as youngster Anthony Elanga is touted to replace him in the squad. The Frenchman’s season has also been persistently hampered by injuries that has inadvertently contributed to his lack of minutes.
Martial has a contract at United that expires only in June 2024, leaving three years and two full seasons void, as he seeks a way out for increased game time. Moreover, His price tag doesn’t come exactly cheap – currently having a Transfermarkt value of €35m. The attacker’s drop in form has played a huge role in the fall of his price tag from €55m exactly a year ago.
A change of fortune?
Martial’s agent Phillippe Lamboley recently spoke to Sky Sports News and conveyed his player’s decision of wanting to move away in January in search of first-team opportunities. With that information now in the air, two clubs have now expressed their interest in the wantaway outcast, although several others such as Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United and West Ham United have been linked with him.
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid are reported to be interested in offering the 13-time Premier League champions a swap proposal. The most plausible names that have been mentioned to go from Wanda Metropolitano are Englishman Kieran Trippier, defensive midfielder Geoffrey Kongdobia and Portuguese talent Joao Felix.
On the other hand, Juventus are said to be keen to offer Antony Martial the chance to move to Allianz Stadium on a loan transfer – a temporary deal until the end of the season, with the possibility of making the move permanent next summer.
Where do Manchester United stand?
Presently, in a dire situation to improve their chemistry. United have undoubtedly bolstered their roster with the onboarding of club legend Ronaldo, French stopper Raphael Varane and upcoming star Jadon Sancho, but have still struggled to find the harmony that ticks them to their fullest potential. They currently sit outside the top five and are keen to break into the top four to compete in Europe next season.
According to statistics provided by sports betting sites, the Red Devils are way off charts behind Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea as the Premier League’s outright winners, although a top-four finish is more realistic. Through the aforementioned resource, one can earn a great deal of knowledge regarding the different sports betting, and football betting markets in particular, along with the nuances of placing one’s hand. Players, whether old or new, can benefit from a whole range of rewards and bonuses such as free bets, cashback, loyalty points and accumulator schemes.
What next for the Frenchman?
Martial joined United in the summer of 2015 in a four-year deal. He managed to woo Old Trafford with his impressive debut season in 2015/16, as he scored 17 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions. Most recently, he bettered that tally with 23 goals in 48 caps in the 2019/20 season, before he suffered from a poor 2020/21 campaign due to injuries. Overall, he has 79 goals in 268 appearances for the Red Devils – a record he can be proud of.
His future though, looks very likely to be away from Old Trafford, as he aims for a place in the French national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup next winter in Qatar. The 26-year-old is still in the prime years of his professional playing career, having already appeared 30 times for the French national team since debuting in 2015.
Once the most expensive teenager in the world – when he switched from Monaco to Manchester United for a staggering fee of €60m at just 19 – Martial has always been a high-achiever and there is no doubt that the versatile forward can reignite his career elsewhere.
Read: Ralf Rangnick confirms Anthony Martial wants to leave Man Utd
