What Man Utd must promise Martial to keep him
FT Desk
- 6 Oct 2022 07:53 BST
- 3 min read
Anthony Martial scored a brace off the bench as Manchester United were thrashed 6-3 by Manchester City last Sunday, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo was an unused substitute.
Most of the headlines since have zeroed in on two strikers: Erling Haaland, whose hat-trick took him to 14 Premier League goals from just eight games; and Ronaldo, whose Old Trafford career now looks to be over.
But Martial is a story of his own. The Frenchman's contract expires in the summer of 2024 and United are keen to extend it. But so far this season, Marcus Rashford has been first-choice up front.
Like goals? ⚽️
Like skills? 💫
Like Tony Martial? 😎
If you answered yes to any of the above — this video is for you 🤩 pic.twitter.com/zctjtTwV5B— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 31, 2019
Martial was United's joint-top scorer, alongside Rashford, when United finished third under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019/20, but he spent the second half of last season on loan at Sevilla and has yet to start a game this term.
But "a severe tendon injury" has impacted Martial's minutes, rather than any lack of faith new manager Erik ten Hag might have in him, as elucidated by transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano.
"Some fans were surprised to see Cristiano Ronaldo staying on the bench for this game, and Martial preferred by Erik ten Hag," he wrote in his Caught Offside column.
Ten Hag a Martial fan
"But it's been the case for some time now that the new manager has been keen to give the Frenchman a chance to show what he can do.
"Ten Hag has always been happy with Martial since some strong performances in July pre-season and he’s still considered an important player for the club.
Related articles
"Of course, before progressing on a new contract, Martial wants to make sure to have enough game time and this will be the key point."
Martial has 81 goals and 51 assists in 271 games for Man Utd since joining in a €66.3 million deal from Monaco in September 2015, and will be pushing to extend that record against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday.
