Anthony Martial makes Man Utd feelings clear with stance on transfer exit

10 January 2024 , 18:14

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Anthony Martial makes Man Utd feelings clear with stance on transfer exit

Anthony Martial wants to stay at Manchester United until the end of this season.

The France international, 28, has entered the final six months of his contract at Old Trafford. United have the option to extend that deal by a further 12 months, but they aren't expected to do that and will allow the forward to leave the club this month.

Martial is wanted by French side Marseille, Turkish outfit Fenerbahce and Saudi Pro League teams, but he is determined to fight for his place in Erik ten Hag's starting XI. United are in talks with the player's agent, as they look to make a decision on his future.

As reported by Sky Sports News, Martial wants to finish the campaign at United. That way, he can decide his future as a free agent in the summer or even earn a new contract at Old Trafford. His form must improve significantly for the latter to happen, however.

United paid £44.7million to sign Martial from Monaco in September 2015 to make him the most expensive teenager in the history of football. The forward hit the ground running at Old Trafford by scoring on his debut against United's bitter rivals Liverpool.

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Martial scored 17 goals in all competitions during his debut season to help United win the FA Cup. It seemed as if he would become a superstar in English football, but he struggled for consistency over the next three seasons, scoring a combined total of 31 goals.

Anthony Martial has scored just one Premier League goal this season (Getty Images)

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The 2019/20 campaign was Martial's most prolific, as he hit 23 goals in all competitions. Yet it's been a struggle for him since then. The Frenchman has lacked form and fitness since September 2020, finding the net just 19 times in 95 games for the Red Devils.

Martial spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Sevilla in a bid to regain his form, but he managed just a single goal in Spain. Although the forward seems destined to leave Old Trafford in the summer, there's still time for him to turn things around.

That's because United do not have a prolific centre-forward. Rasmus Hojlund has scored just one goal in 18 domestic games for Ten Hag's side since his £72m transfer from Atalanta last summer, and United don't appear to have the cash to afford another striker.

United's record in front of goal is appalling. They've found the net just 22 times in the Premier League season, with only Burnley (20) and Sheffield United (15) scoring fewer. There's a chance for someone at United to nail down a spot as their first-choice No.9.

Tom Blow