Anthony Martial’s agent has played down speculation linking the Frenchman with a move away from Manchester United in the summer.
Philippe Lamboley, Anthony Martial’s agent, has insisted in an interview with Journal du Dimanche that his client’s future does not lie away from Old Trafford, as the Frenchman has “no reason” to leave Manchester United in the summer despite a frustrating campaign in 2016/17.
“I would like every 21-year-old player to have already played 180 games with the pros,” Lamboley said. “Anthony’s career is quite simply exceptional. He has two years left on his contract, and there is no reason today for him to leave Manchester.”
“If Ed Woodward [United vice-president] calls me to tell me he wishes to see him leave, things will be different. But that’s not what he said to me during our last meeting.”
Martial joined Manchester United from AS Monaco in the summer of 2015 and was an instant success as he quickly established himself as a mainstay in Louis van Gaal’s first-team setup at Old Trafford. The player made 49 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils and was the club’s top scorer in 2015/16 with 17 goals.
Anthony Martial‘s agent Philippe Lamboley: “Martial has two years left and there is no reason for him to leave Manchester today.” pic.twitter.com/Mn8dMMysYP
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) June 5, 2017
The success in his maiden campaign, however, was followed by a frustrating season in 2016/17, as the arrival of Jose Mourinho has seen his progress stutter, with limited game time coming his way.
The Portuguese manager used Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the focal point of Manchester United’s attack; and rightfully so, as the Swede proved to be so successful for them. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford was Ibrahimovic’s understudy, with Mourinho using Martial on the wings on most occasions.
However, Martial endured a significant dip in form which often left the Manchester United boss a frustrated man and the player with a rotation role in the first-team squad. As a result, Martial managed to start just 18 Premier League games, with a further 7 appearances off the bench.
With minutes hard to come by at Manchester United, Martial also lost his place in the French national side, and widespread reports have claimed that Martial is likely to be offloaded in the summer.
Rumours were also rife that the player, himself, was looking for a way out of Old Trafford. However, Lamboley’s comments suggest otherwise, and it looks like Martial is ready to fight for his place in the Manchester United first-team setup.
With Ivan Perisic reportedly set to arrive though, the competition for places will intensify further, and the Frenchman will have to rediscover his best touch in order to carve out a regular place for himself.
It now remains to be seen if Martial, indeed, ends up staying at Manchester United and, if so, continue from what was a promising end to 2016/17.
