Manchester United have concluded their pre-season preparations with matches on consecutive days over the weekend.
Notably missing from the lineup was Anthony Martial, who did not feature in games against RC Lens at Old Trafford and Athletic Bilbao in Dublin.
Surprisingly, the French star is not injured, yet he was not included in the matchday squad for either fixture. This absence raised eyebrows among fans, especially considering he is the only senior centre forward in the squad apart from the currently injured new signing, Rasmus Hojlund.
In Fabrizio Romano’s latest column, he suggests that Man United are prepared to offload Martial if they receive a suitable offer for the French international.
West Ham United are considering Martial along with several other strikers for their squad. However, the club has an extensive shortlist, and hoping for an offer at this stage may be unlikely.
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If West Ham decides to make an offer, it will likely be late in the transfer window. Their key striker Gianluca Scamacca is set to join Atalanta this summer. Hence, it’s logical for them to make a move for the United striker.
However, Martial’s poor fitness record and high wage demands make it challenging to find a suitable buyer for him.
If the club does manage to sell him, they will undoubtedly look to sign a reliable striker that the team and manager can rely upon.
United signed Martial from AS Monaco in the summer of 2015, considering him one of the most promising talents in football at that time.
Unfortunately, the player has not been able to live up to his potential at Old Trafford. His performances over the years have been underwhelming.
In the previous season, he made 29 appearances across all competitions, scoring nine goals and providing three assists.
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During the 2022/23 season, the 27-year-old was often sidelined due to injury, leading Erik ten Hag to rely on other players like Wout Weghorst and Marcus Rashford to lead the attacking line.
Despite his struggles, Martial remains one of the two natural strikers in the squad, alongside Hojlund. If United decides to sell the French striker, it will be crucial to bring in reinforcements to fill the void left by his departure.
