(Football news) Anthony Martial has expressed his desire to leave Manchester United after seven years at the club. The French international informed interim manager Ralf Rangnick about his desire to leave after enduring a torrid season so far in which he has made only two Premier League appearances and four in all competitions.
The 26 year old was the world’s most expensive teenager when Manchester United signed him from Monaco in September 2015. With an initial fee of £36m which could potentially rise to £58m, Martial at that time was Manchester United’s third most expensive player after Angel Di Maria and Juan Mata. Martial has scored 79 goals in 268 appearances for Manchester United and one of the most memorable ones was on his debut when the Frenchman scored a brilliant solo goal in front of the Stretford End against Liverpool.
Martial’s playing time has been limited following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and the presence of Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford. Speaking to the press, Ralf Rangnick said “We spoke at length on Wednesday, he explained to me he's been at Manchester United now for the last seven years and he feels it's the right time for a change, to go somewhere else. I think in a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it's also important to see the situation of the club.
“We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions and want to be as successful as we can be. I told him listen, as long as there is no club showing interest in him, and it should not only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club. So far, as far as I know, there has been no offer from any other club and as long as this is the case he will stay.”
Earlier this month, Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley, executive director of USFA Management had reiterated his client’s wishes to depart from the club by saying “Anthony wishes to leave the club in January. He just needs to play. He doesn't want to stay in January and I will speak to the club soon."
Ralf Rangnick also publicly backed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s concerns of signing players who are not vaccinated against Coronavirus. The German manager said “I think it could be a consideration. This is an issue the clubs seriously have to think about. If you sign a player knowing from the first day that he has not been vaccinated, you have to be aware he might not be available. Not only for 10 days, but this could happen regularly in Covid times.”
Rangnick used the example of Joshua Kimmich as evidence that players should get vaccinated as soon as possible. He said “Kimmich was extremely hesitant at the beginning and I think in the meantime he has realised it might be a good idea to get vaccinated. He caught Covid and still has some problems with his lungs. I think this is an issue where of course everybody can, and should have, his free will. But in football, especially at this level we are playing at, we need to try to convince our players to get vaccinated. It should be in the interest of the players to be vaccinated, but in the end it's a decision that each club has to take by themselves and find the best possible solution.”
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