Manchester United have experienced a problem in recent seasons where unwanted players become unsellable, and have to wait for their contracts to expire.
Manchester United are still dealing with the unwanted effects of the Ed Woodward era, where underperforming players were handed hefty contracts, hoping they could be sold for high fees later on.
Yet all this did was ensure United were stuck with them, with no players willing to pay up their very high wages.
Anthony Martial is one, handed a new contract extension under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he is one of the club’s highest paid players, and most unproductive, due to injuries.
United have been unable to sell Martial in successive transfer windows, which has hurt the team as his wages have effectively blocked signing a replacement. At least that’s the excuse trotted out to fans.
Anthony Martial set to leave for free
The solution in most cases is simply to wait for contract to expire, like Phil Jones in the summer. Eric Bailly saw his deal terminated last September.
Anthony Martial has been unsellable, and has predictably missed most of this season due to injury.
Thankfully his contract is finally set to expire in June 2024, and there is no chance it will be renewed.
Finding a new club may not be easy for the injury-prone forward, who has only five Premier League starts this season, and has not played since the defeat to Bournemouth in early December.
Martial suffers first snub ahead of transfer window
According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, Lyon have already turned down the chance to sign Anthony Martial for free in the summer.
Lyon chairman John Textor, who also owns a large stake in Crystal Palace, has rejected a move.
The outlet reports: “At the end of his contract at Manchester United at the end of the season, Anthony Martial, who will not be extended, has been offered to several clubs across Europe including Olympique Lyonnais. However, Gones boss John Textor did not want to follow through.”
This comes after Lyon moved for Martial’s former Manchester United teammate Nemanja Matic in the last transfer window, showing they are not afraid to sign ageing stars. Indeed, they have had success since re-signing Alexandre Lacazette from Arsenal 18 months ago.
Martial is not required at Lyon, and will have to look elsewhere. It’s not surprising clubs aren’t queuing up to sign him, there are major question marks over his reliability, although eventually somebody will take a chance on him. He might just have to wait longer than expected, despite getting some early feelers out.
Martial could play again this season
Speaking ahead of the Brentford game, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag admitted there is a chance Anthony Martial could play again this season.
He told club media: “Martial is back on the pitch as well, but not in the team yet. It depends on him and how quickly is he back and what are the levels. What [he] is showing.”
Who knows, Martial could pop up at Wembley with a vital goal in the FA Cup semi-final or final. But this won’t change United’s decision, he is on a one-way ticket out of the club now – but a strong end to the season will help his chances of finding a new club.