24 January 2024 , 13:37
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Anthony Martial looks to have played his last game for Manchester United.
The French striker has been ruled out for at least 10 weeks after undergoing surgery to address an ongoing groin problem.
The recovery period means Martial will be sidelined until at least April, just weeks before the end of the season. And with the French forward having failed to play for United since early December, it is unlikely boss Erik ten Hag will choose to pick him again.
Martial's £250,000-a-week contract runs out at the end of this season and United have decided against triggering an option to extend it by a further 12 months. United are willing to let the 28-year-old leave as a free agent at the end of this season and miss out on recouping any money on him from a potential transfer fee.
Martial, signed from Monaco in 2015 for £36million, rising to £57m, promised much when he marked his United debut with a sublime solo goal against their arch rivals Liverpool in a 3-1 win at Old Trafford.
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The fee United paid for Martial made him the most expensive teenager in world football and he looked set to become one of the best attacking players in the world.
But Martial failed to live up to his early promise, a succession of injuries and a questionable attitude seeing him fail to establish himself under a series of managers at United.
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Martial has been in and out of United’s team this season, his inconsistency underlined by the fact he has scored just twice in 19 appearances in all competitions. He last played for United on December 9 in a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
It is understood a host of clubs in Saudi Arabia are ready to offer Martial a lucrative new deal to help him revive his stagnant career.
Martial, signed by Louis van Gaal, is currently United’s second longest-serving player after defender Luke Shaw.