Anthony Martial, a player who was once deemed as ‘The next Thierry Henry’ when he step foot at Manchester United. Since then, how big he has fallen.
He was once a significant player during Solskjaer’s first few years and had formed a formidable bond with Marcus Rashford and Marcus Greenwood. He had scored 23 goals in the 2019-20 season which was a blockbuster year for him. But since then he has never managed to score about 20 goals in a single season more than once at Manchester United.
After being placed on the bench season after season, the French striker needed to move out and he optioned to go to Spain. Many believed that this move could benefit him in bringing back his old form.
After struggling to play regularly at Manchester United, the Frenchman joined the LaLiga side Sevilla in January. A short six-month loan contract allowed him to revive his career in Spain, but things have not gone as planned, as Martial has struggled to adapt to Sevilla’s system under Julen Lopetegui.
According to the Metro, Manchester United loanee, Anthony Martial could return to Old Trafford next season after his shambolic spell at Spanish club Sevilla.
Martial has a contract with United until 2024, and it’s unclear whether he’ll play under the new boss at Old Trafford next season, after discovering that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
In 540 minutes of football for the Spanish club, he has only scored one goal. He has also been unable to complete a full match due to his poor performance.
Meanwhile, Sevilla fans have been continually booing Martial as they wait for him to score his first La Liga goal. Julen Lopetegui refused to criticize fans for booing the player in an interview with AS, arguing that they had every right to do so.
While talking to AS publications, the manager said:
“This is elite football and people are free and can express themselves as they feel. As a coach, I have to help him to achieve his best version. He is also a professional and has to do his part and adapt to what we ask of him.”
These words are not good signs for the Frenchmen as he has failed to adapt himself to the manager’s needs and has since been dejected by his lack of contribution.
By the time Anthony Martial returns to Manchester in the summer, a new manager might be in place at Old Trafford. Ralf Rangnick is now in an interim position, although Mauricio Pochettino and Erik Ten Hag are among the frontrunners to take over permanently. The incoming new manager will undoubtedly have his own ideas and that leaves Martial’s future in danger.
Also, Manchester United could get see significant changes in their attacking region. Cristiano Ronaldo’s age is an issue, and there have been rumours concerning his future if the club fails to finish in the top four. The contract of Edinson Cavani expires at the end of the season, and he is set to leave.
Marcus Rashford’s form remains a significant problem, and there are suggestions that he is concerned about his future after playing rarely in recent months. Anthony Elanga has been a rare bright spot for the Red Devils, while Jadon Sancho is settling in well after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
Anthony Martial was the most expensive teenager in the world when he signed from Monaco, but he has failed to live up to his potential, despite scoring 79 goals in 269 games for United.
