Anthony Martial has worn the Manchester United shirt for almost nine years. Now the Frenchman has announced his departure
It was September 2015 when Manchester United announced the signing of a young French talent: Anthony Martial moved from Monaco to the island for around €50 million at the time, making him the most expensive teenager at the time. In the years that followed, the attacker would play 317 competitive matches for the Red Devils and win six titles.
But after almost nine years – the 30-time international spent the second half of the 2021/22 season at Sevilla FC – he is now calling it a day at Old Trafford. The 28-year-old announced his departure on Instagram on Monday. He said it was time to “turn a new page in my career.” He thanked the Manchester United fans in particular: “You have been an unwavering support, in good times and in difficult times. Your passion and loyalty have been a constant source of motivation for me. “
The new club has not yet been decided
Martial has played 317 competitive matches for United, scoring 90 goals and setting up 47 assists. A few months after his move to Manchester, he won the Golden Boy Award as the best U-21 player in Europe, followed by winning the 2016 FA Cup, the English Super Cup and League Cup finals – and the Europa League in 2017. After winning the League Cup again last year, Martial now leaves as a freshly crowned FA Cup winner (2:1 in the city duel with ManCity), although he did not play a game in the cup competition in the past season.
The striker endured a difficult season in general, having not played a game in the spring following a groin operation and not being called up to the squad of outgoing Man United coach Erik ten Hag. Nevertheless, he is now saying goodbye without rancor: “I am leaving to seek new challenges, I will always remain a Red Devil and follow the club’s results very closely.” As Martial’s contract expires, he is on a free transfer, but his new destination is still unknown
