17 July 2023 , 18:19
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Erik ten Hag will seek to sell Anthony Martial this summer if the club manage to secure the signing of Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Ten Hag is keen to move on striker Anthony Martial this summer – the Frenchman has undergone another frustrating season without sustained form or fitness. The striker is a favourite of United co-chairman Joel Glazer but the boss is set to win the argument on cashing in.
The club’s Glazer family owners previously blocked Jose Mourinho’s attempts to sell the forward, when the former boss tried to allow Martial to leave in a move to tempt then-Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic to Old Trafford. However, the club will listen to offers this summer.
Martial’s continued fitness issues limited him to just 11 starts in 38 Premier League matches last season – illustrating his lack of reliability when it comes to availability. While the fitness concerns are beyond the Frenchman’s control, Ten Hag is believed to have lost patience in him.
United are closing in on a move for Hojlund and they will offset the costs of signing the Denmark international by moving Martial on. Ten Hag also plans to allow Mason Greenwood to leave the club on a loan deal, while Wout Weghorst ’s loan deal at Old Trafford has already expired.
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A report in the Mail outlines how Martial does not have a long-term future in Ten Hag’s plans. An exit could secure a notable transfer fee and also clear a high earner of United’s wage bill, allowing further investment into the first-team squad.
Martial endured another frustrating season of fitness struggles (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)Have Your Say! Should Man Utd keep or sell Martial this summer ? Tell us what you think here.
United are ramping up their pursuit of Denmark international Hojlund. The 20-year-old has impressed in his debut season in Bergamo having joined from Sturm Graz last summer – it is believed he can bring the energy and press to United’s attack that Martial cannot.
United are set to focus on sales once completing the signing of Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana and Hojlund. Dean Henderson, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Brandon Williams, Anthony Elanga, Donny van de Beek, Fred, Scott McTominay, Greenwood and Martial are all likely to be moved on.
Attack-minded midfielder Mason Mount completed his move to Old Trafford with the Red Devils paying an initial £55m plus up to £5m in add-ons for the England international while David de Gea, Jack Butland, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, Marcel Sabitzer and Weghorst have already departed.