Anthony Martial, who had strongly wanted out of Manchester United this summer, has now reportedly done a u-turn in this regard. The 22-year-old forward, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea, Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, now wants to stay put and fight for his place in the team.
The Frenchman seems emboldened by the team’s refusal to sell him this preseason, although the window still remains open in most of Europe until the end of the month. Earlier this summer, his agent publicly declared his client’s desire to leave, but now it seems Martial wants to stick around to prove his doubters wrong.
There is of course another theory out there as to why Anthony Martial wants to stay now. With the future of Jose Mourinho now in question, Martial could be motivated to see what transpires on that front before seeking an escape route. You could call this a competing theory about Martial’s intentions.
Or both explanations about his reported about face on his club future could be true.
Mourinho is the heavy favorite among the sports books to be the first manager sacked in the Premier League this season. Former Liverpool star and ESPN FC television pundit Steve Nicol subscribes to this theory.
“Up until a couple of weeks ago I would have said this guy is desperate to get out, but I think he’ll be looking at what’s going on at Man United, what’s going on with Mourinho,” said Nicol.
“I think he will hold fire. So because of that I’m going to say no (he doesn’t leave before the end of the window).”
Meanwhile ESPN FC the website, citing the Star, reports that Mourinho is at odds with United Executive Vice President Ed Woodward about what to do with Anthony Martial. Mourinho, the narrative goes, wants to get rid of Martial while Woodward wants to keep him.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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