The agent of Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has conceded he holds doubt over his client’s future at the club, despite a recent 12-month contract extension.
The 13-time Premier League champions triggered a one-year extension on Martial’s current contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2020.
Why is Martial’s agent “pessimistic”? Five things to know…
- Martial’s current deal was set to expire at the end of the season, but the club activated the option of a 12-month extension on Monday.
- The 23-year-old was reportedly offered a new deal months ago but is yet to put pen-to-paper.
- He came in for public criticism from former manager Jose Mourinho and has been used sporadically this season.
- Martial has also come in for scrutiny from some quarters of the United fanbase, with Gary Neville saying he ‘drives him crazy’.
- Arsenal and Chelsea have been alerted by Martial’s situation and could explore the option of signing him.
United are now hopeful the dismissal of Mourinho, who had a less than cordial relationship with Martial, will encourage the forward to agree fresh terms, but there has been no movement from the Frenchman’s camp.
The star’s agent, Phillipe Lamboley, even revealed his apprehension regarding whether Martial will dot the i’s and cross the t’s on a deal keeping him beyond the end of next season.
He said (via the Mirror): “They have already sent us offers that do not meet our expectations. We are far from an agreement for the time being.”
During one of the biggest matches of the campaign, Martial could only muster a fleeting substitute appearance as the Red Devils were brushed aside by rivals Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday.
He has so far only started nine out of a possible 16 Premier League matches and has really failed to kick on from the huge promise exhibited when he first joined the club.
Could Mourinho sacking rejuvenate Martial’s career?
Martial is a prodigiously talented attacker but has so far failed to realise his potential.
He started his United career like a house on fire, scoring 17 goals in 49 matches across all competitions, but has managed just eight and 11 the following two seasons.
A dip in form and lack of consistency cost Martial a place in France’s World Cup winning squad, and he remains in-and-out of the United XI.
Three years ago Martial was dubbed the next Thierry Henry by former United striker Louis Saha, but he is yet to live up to that immense label.
With Mourinho now out of the frame, Martial may blossom under the guidance of a more attack-minded tactician.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has since been appointed interim coach until the end of the campaign and has been praised for his attacking approach in his native Norway with Molde.
Solskjaer’s style of play could allow Martial to flourish in the final third, but the real test will come when the club appoint a permanent manager in the summer.
The post Anthony Martial’s agent “pessimistic” over new Man Utd contract despite 12-month extension appeared first on Squawka News.
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