Mizgan Masani
Manchester United are willing to keep Anthony Martial with a backup role in mind
According to ESPN (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester United want to keep hold of the striker Anthony Martial this summer, but only as a backup.
The report states that although the Red Devils are willing to listen to offers for the former Monaco star, they would not sell him for any price. It means that they will only let go of the player if the sale is on their terms.
If that does not happen, Erik ten Hag would want to keep him as a backup striker in the squad for the next season. United are confident about signing Atalanta centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund.
If the latter happens, Hojlund is most likely to take the first-choice role of leading the line. It won’t be easy to get him as PSG are also in the race.
Martial, on the other hand, has been injury-prone throughout his career at Old Trafford. January 2021 was the last time the Frenchman played full 90 minutes in a game for United.
At the end of last season, just before the FA Cup final against Manchester United, the 27-year-old picked up a hamstring injury. He is still recovering from that and has not started proper pre-season training.
If we look at the numbers from last season, Martial missed 32 games for the club due to several injury setbacks.
Keeping all those things in mind, it is understandable why he would be demoted in the pecking order come the start of next season.
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It would also be a surprise if he becomes match-fit for the first game of the campaign. Given the injury and him not starting the pre-season yet, expect ten Hag to ease him back into the playing squad.
