Manchester United are reportedly set to keep Anthony Martial at the club despite the Frenchman’s recent struggles.
According to The Telegraph, Manchester United will not part ways with misfiring striker Anthony Martial this summer.
The Frenchman promised much going into the 2020/21 campaign but largely struggled to make an impact. He did not just look out of sorts on the field but also struggled with injuries in what can best be described as a season of woe. He found the back of the net just seven times in 36 appearances across all competitions.
The 25-year-old’s campaign came to an abrupt end following an injury while with France on international duty. It not only saw him sit out the remainder of United’s campaign but also miss out on France’s participation in the European Championship.
With Edinson Cavani penning a new deal and Jadon Sancho joining the club, Martial faces a real battle on his hands to regain his spot in the starting XI. He has since been linked with a potential exit, and several prominent clubs are keeping watch. They include the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan.
United, however, have no intention of parting ways with the player and envisage a role for him in the upcoming campaign. He returned to action in United’s 4-0 mauling of Everton in the pre-season game at Old Trafford. While he did not score or assist on the night, Martial’s return is a boost ahead of our season opener against Leeds United this weekend.
With Marcus Rashford out until October and Edinson Cavani not ready to take the field, the onus to lead the attack this weekend could fall on Martial. The Frenchman has a point to prove and has an opportunity to silence his doubters this season. A good run of form could see him play a larger role in the club’s ambitions this campaign.
Not only could COVID-19 rear its ugly head again, but United will also need to be smart about managing the players at their disposal. In recent years, the Red Devils have looked gassed in the business end of the season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. While quality is important, rotating players to keep the squad fresh is key. In Martial, Solskjaer will have strength in depth.
With Rashford ruled out and Sancho yet to take the field, Martial has a chance to become the club’s go-to striker. Despite being just 25, he has already made 258 appearances for the Red Devils and is currently one of their senior-most player available for selection. He could well be tasked to lead the line in upcoming games, and it remains to be seen how he performs.
Martial set tongues wagging when he announced himself at the Theatre of Dreams with a magnificent goal against Liverpool on his debut. It has been 257 matches since, and he has been more of a miss than a hit. At 25, he has a fair bit of football left in him and could yet turn around his fortunes. However, the ball is in his court, and he will need to do his talking on the field.
