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Manchester United Transfer News: Anthony Martial Set to Stay Amid Exit Rumours
August 26, 2018
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is reportedly happy to stay at the club for the time being despite speculation regarding a possible exit this summer.
According to James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph, the France international is "feeling emboldened by the club hierarchy's refusal to bow to Jose Mourinho's wishes to sell him" and will consequently not seek to force through a move before most European transfer windows close on Friday.
Ducker added that Mourinho is keen to offload the player before the deadline because he wants to reinvest the fee brought in to improve his squad in other areas. Sevilla are said to be interested in a loan deal for the former Monaco man.
Steve Bates of the Sunday People (h/t the Sunday Mirror) has also reported that Martial has taken out a new 12-month lease on his house in Cheshire.
"The lease on Martial's previous rented property in the area ran out in the summer, adding to speculation that the youngster would be on his way," Bates noted. "But despite wanting a move to guarantee first-team football after missing out on France's [FIFA] World Cup-winning squad in Russia, United are refusing to allow the gifted star to leave."
Regardless of the reasons, it appears unlikely that Martial will be moving on before the end of the transfer window, which will be a boost for United supporters who are big fans of the 22-year-old. As Alex Shaw of ESPN noted, since Mourinho arrived at the Red Devils in 2016, the forward has failed to kick on:
Per Ducker, the relationship between the manager and Martial hasn't been straightforward, either, as the coach fined the player two weeks' wages after he left the club's pre-season tour to attend the birth of his child.
According to the initial report, with pressure on Mourinho, Martial is said to be happy to bide his time at Old Trafford and "is aware of the power play going on behind the scenes." Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is reported to be interested in the managerial position, and his appointment would appeal to Martial.
For time being, it doesn't appear as though Mourinho is going anywhere, though. And if Martial wants to play regular football in the early parts of the season, it's imperative he takes his opportunities, as Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News noted ahead of United's recent loss to Brighton & Hove Albion:
In Martial, the Red Devils do have a major talent and someone who can open a game up with his speed, dribbling and composure in the final third. However, there are obstacles that are likely to hinder his progress under Mourinho at Old Trafford in terms of competition, personality clashes and style of play.
With that in mind, if the Portuguese does turn things around and United put together a prosperous run of form, Martial well be considering his options again during the midseason transfer window.