Erik ten Hag decides on Martial’s future amid the Cristiano Ronaldo saga
Anthony Martial will not be allowed to leave Manchester United, despite mounting doubts over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future.
Martial pleased new United manager Erik ten Hag so much during the team’s pre-season tour that the attacker has been assured he will remain at the club this summer.
United were open to Martial leaving or returning on loan before the September 1 transfer deadline, but ten Hag has put a stop to that after seeing him play in recent weeks.
With Ronaldo’s future uncertain after revealing that he was open to a transfer away from United this summer, ten Hag believes he cannot afford to lose Martial.
France forward’s United career was effectively finished when he was loaned out to Sevilla for the second half of the season, scoring only once in 12 games.
However, Martial returned to United and excelled on their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, scoring three goals in three games and looking sharp.
Ten Hag is convinced he can bring Martial back to his best and score regularly, but he warns the striker that he must concentrate completely to reach his full potential.
On the club’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, Martial has worked well with other strikers Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho.
The foursome is expected to spearhead United’s assault against Brighton in their Premier League debut on August 7, with ten Hag pleased by their speed, movement, and understanding.
With Ronaldo missing the trip for personal reasons, regardless of his wish to go, he will not be match-fit for the start of the season, with ten Hag preparing for United’s Premier League opening against Brighton at home on August 7 without him.
Martial has had a rocky United career since coming from Monaco in 2015 for £36 million under previous manager Louis van Gaal.
Martial went on to score 17 goals in his first season at United after scoring a fantastic solo goal against Liverpool on his debut.
He fell short of that amount in his next three seasons, but set a career-high with 23 in the 2019-20 season, only to slip back the next two years.
While his skill, particularly his quickness and precise finishing, has never been in doubt, Martial’s dubious attitude and work rate have kept him back.