Manchester United reportedly has no intention of exercising the option to extend Anthony Martial’s contract beyond the current season, as per recent reports.
The French striker, now in the final year of his deal, possesses an option for the club to prolong his contract by an additional year. However, sources from The Athletic reveal that the United leadership is inclined to allow Martial to leave for free at the season’s conclusion, signaling a lack of interest in a contract renewal.
Martial committed to a five-year deal with Manchester United in 2019, incorporating a clause that would permit the club to extend his contract for an additional 12 months. The hesitancy to activate this option suggests a potential departure for Martial, possibly as early as January.
Acquired from Monaco in 2015 in a £36 million deal, Martial held the record for being the most expensive teenager in football history at the time. The original contract featured bonus clauses, with one linked to Martial winning the Ballon d’Or.
However, the French forward has fallen short of achieving this accolade, struggling to consistently showcase his best form during his tenure at Old Trafford.
Over nine years with the club, Martial has tallied 90 goals in 317 games, achieving his highest season goal count in 2019-20 when he scored 23 goals in 48 games.
Despite recent criticism and a lackluster performance in a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, manager Erik ten Hag defended Martial, emphasizing the collective responsibility of the team for the defeat. As United faces a demanding upcoming fixture schedule, pressure continues to mount on ten Hag.
