Anthony Martial, the Manchester United forward, has announced that he will be leaving the club after nine seasons. Martial’s time at United was marked by unfulfilled potential, as he failed to live up to the expectations that came with being the most expensive teenager in the world when he was signed for £36m from Monaco in 2015. Though he scored 90 goals in 317 appearances for the club, his last game was a 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth on 9 December. After undergoing groin surgery in January and returning to training, he never made it back into the first-team squad.
In an emotional social media post, Martial expressed his gratitude to the club and its supporters. He wrote, “It’s with great emotion that I write to you today to say goodbye. After nine incredible years at the club, the time has come for me to turn a new page in my career. Since I arrived in 2015, I have had the immense honor of wearing this shirt and playing in front of you, the best supporters in the world. Manchester United will always be in my heart.”
During his time at United, Martial won the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and Europa League. He also had a loan spell with Sevilla in 2022. However, his last cap for France was in 2021, indicating a decline in his international career as well.
Martial’s departure garnered well-wishes from his teammates, including Marcus Rashford. Rashford commented on Martial’s Instagram post, saying, “So many memories together. Stay blessed brother.” However, Rashford himself is facing disappointment as he was left out of England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024. The 26-year-old forward had a difficult season individually and collectively, scoring only eight goals.
In light of this setback, Rashford took to Twitter to announce that he will be taking a break from social media. He wrote, “It’s time to come off socials for a few weeks. I plan to rest and reset mentally after a challenging season individually and collectively. Thanks to the fans that stood by me through a difficult period. To the ones that didn’t, just remember at United, we always stick together.”
The departures of both Martial and Rashford signal a new era for Manchester United’s forward line. With Martial leaving and Rashford taking time off to regroup, the club will need to look for options to bolster their attacking options in the upcoming transfer window. As the Premier League season approaches, United will have to make strategic moves to ensure they remain competitive.