Pranav Nair
Paul Ince urges Manchester United against selling Anthony Martial in January
According to The United Stand (h/t Mirror), Paul Ince has urged Manchester United against selling striker Anthony Martial in the upcoming January transfer window.
The 25-year-old cannot buy a goal at the moment and has scored just twice in his last 24 outings. A far cry from the player who ended the 2019/20 campaign as the club’s top scorer.
Martial was once again called out for a poor outing against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup earlier this week. This has led to speculation that the Frenchman will depart the club next year.
Ince, however, has called for calm and urged United to consider Martial as a part of the larger scheme of things. He goes on to add that the Frenchman’s presence will help take the pressure off Cristiano Ronaldo who cannot be expected to play every game.
“We’re saying, ‘Ronaldo’s going to play every game’, but he’s 36, who knows, he could pick up an injury and is out for three or four weeks, Martial comes back in, gets a couple of goals and a run in the team.”
Ince admits he is sad to see the Martial struggle the way he is now. A player of doubtless potential, he has failed to develop into the world-beater he promised to be.
At 25, he still has plenty of years left in his prime and can rediscover his form and rebuild his career. The onus is on the Frenchman to be ready and prove his worth when the opportunity presents itself.
“Martial has got to be ready for his opportunity. I don’t think Ronaldo will play every game.”
Despite his poor outing against the Hammers, Solskjaer gave Martial the vote of confidence and hinted that the player will get more opportunities in the future. Just what will come of it remains to be seen.
More Manchester United News
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- Jamie O’Hara: Solskjaer should follow what Thomas Tuchel did to get the best out of Anthony Martial at Manchester United
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Jesse Lingard showed last season that a purple patch could help rekindle what was seen as a dying career. Martial has far more up his sleeve than the Englishman and it is time he fulfilled his potential. Whether that will happen at United or not remains to be seen.
