Does Anthony Martial deserve new Man Utd contract?
James Shearman
- Updated: 28 Aug 2022 11:29 CDT
- 3 min read
Manchester United are ready to offer Anthony Martial a new long-term contract, having impressed new manager Erik ten Hag, according to the Daily Star.
Martial scored plenty of goals in preseason, but has only played 45 minutes of United's four Premier League games.
the Frenchman did play well in the second half of the 2-1 win over Liverpool, though, assisting Marcus Rashford's goal.
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''He can be a target, he knows the right positions and he has the skills to play through. We saw that with the second goal. It was the right moment to bring him on the pitch,'' Ten Hag said post-match.
Indeed, his style of play suits Ten Hag's system more than teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, pressing from the front and covering every blade of grass, and he now looks set to become a key part of the Dutchman's plans.
The other reason for Martial's contract extension is that his current deal expires in 2024, meaning his transfer value is now what it could be.
Should the 26-year-old sign a long-term deal, running until at least 2026, said value will rise significantly.
This is important to United, and particularly the Glazers, as if he is to regain form, they can command a higher fee from interested clubs in the future.
Does Anthony Martial deserve new Man Utd contract?
While retaining Martial's transfer value is important to United, and he did impress in the 45 minutes against Liverpool, it is surely too soon to offer him a new contract.
Earlier this year, he was sent on loan to La Liga side Sevilla for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, where he failed to make a good impression.
Antony's an important signing. Man Utd's attack looks stagnant at times without Martial, who can't stay fit. €90 million is hell of a fee. Still needed another CM, CF and a RB, but they'll have to wait.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) August 28, 2022
That move came on the back of a difficult 18 months at the Manchester club, in which he scored just 5 league goals in 30 appearances.
Yet, after two years of poor form, United are willing to hand Martial a new contract after just 45 minutes of competitive action this season.
At his best, he is good enough to lead the line for the Red Devils, as he did in the 2019-20 season, but they should certainly be waiting to see at least a few months of improved play before giving out a financial reward.
