French forward Anthony Martial has been absent from play since the 0-3 defeat against Bournemouth on December 9 at Old Trafford. Following the match, Martial fell ill and has not participated in training with his teammates since. There are reports suggesting that Manchester United’s leadership, along with coach Erik ten Hag, is contemplating selling him during the current winter transfer window.
An internal source from Manchester United revealed that ten Hag informed Martial he won’t be considered for selection until his physical condition improves. Despite inquiries about Martial’s absence, the Dutch coach has remained tight-lipped, only mentioning that the player wasn’t fit enough before the draw with Tottenham. Now confirmed, Martial is not injured but is dealing with health concerns.
Similar to Jadon Sancho in 2022, Martial is undergoing training based on a personalized fitness plan to regain his physical condition, with individual lessons as part of the effort. While Marcus Rashford faced illness last December and has already returned to playing with the first team, Martial continues to remain sidelined. It’s important to note that Anthony Martial’s contract with Manchester United expires in June 2024, making him a free agent after nine years with the club.
Manchester United’s leadership is reportedly running out of patience, considering selling Martial in the winter transfer window to secure financial returns. However, Martial has reportedly rejected an offer from Fenerbahce, expressing his desire to explore options beyond the current transfer window.
The situation introduces uncertainty to Martial’s future with Manchester United, prompting the club to make strategic decisions considering the player’s health concerns and contract status. As the winter transfer window progresses, football enthusiasts are closely following the developments surrounding Martial’s future at Old Trafford.
