There are a number of players in the Manchester United squad who could end up being deemed surplus to requirements by manager Jose Mourinho at the end of the season.
French forward Anthony Martial was a key first team player last season under Louis van Gaal, but has fallen out of favour under new manager Jose Mourinho. In fact, the Portuguese manager recently urged Martial to prove his worth to the team.
One of the clubs who are monitoring the situation are Ligue 1 Champions Paris Saint-Germain. PSG recently lost Swede striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Man United, and are considering a move for their former number one striker Anthony Martial.
“It is well known PSG are very keen if the club does consider selling,” a United source reportedly told The Sun.
“He has been dropped recently against Feyenoord and West Ham and has generally struggled for form.”
These quotes were apparently gathered before Man United’s League Cup quarter final tie against West Ham on Wednesday. Martial’s stock must have risen considerably with his display in that particular game. The Frenchman started the match and scored a brace, as United claimed a 4-1 victory to storm into the semi-finals.
Martial was one of the big Manchester United signings in the summer of 2015. The relatively unknown Frenchman was snapped up from Monaco for a whopping £36 million. There are further clauses in the deal which could take his eventual fee to a potential £58 million.
There were several critics who felt that United had shot the gun with their acquisition of the young forward. However Martial proved to be a force to reckon with for the Red Devils. He memorably scored on his debut against Liverpool, and then went on to end the season as United’s top scorer in the league (11) and overall (17).
The Frenchman’s tally last season may seem less, but it was the best United could manage under the tedious, plodding, slow style of football implemented by former manager Louis van Gaal. Martial has scored four goals in 14 appearances under Jose Mourinho so far this season, and will hope that the brace against the Hammers helps him turn his form around.
It is unlikely Manchester United will even consider selling him if he carries his form from Wednesday onwards.
