Man Utd line up Martial replacement as forward nears exit

FT Desk

• 26 Nov 2022 12:05 CST
• 3 min read

Manchester United have already lined up a prospective replacement for forward Anthony Martial, according to reports.

The French striker has flattered to deceive throughout his seven years at Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag seemignly the latest in a long line of managers who have tired of his inconsistency and fitness issues.

While Martial has impressed in the few games he has played this season for United, netting on four occasions in all competitions, he managed just three starts in the first half of the year and is yet to complete the full 90 minutes on even one occasion.

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The forward is likely to seek a new club when the summer transfer window opens, leaving a position open in the Reds' forward line.

And Ten Hag may well turn to another Frenchman to fill that void.

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Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby is considered by the manager as the perfect replacement for Martial once the latter leaves, according to Futbol Fichajes.

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The 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength in the Bundesliga since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 and is now rated as one of the league's top attacking talents, having netted eight goals in 22 games for Leverkusen so far in 2022-23.

Diaby is under contract in Germany until 2025, but a bid worth around £60 million could tempt Leverkusen into releasing their star.

United will have to move quick, however: Newcastle United were also previously linked with Diaby and could well return with another offer in order to further strengthen their forward line.