Manchester United’s January transfer plans unchanged despite Martial’s latest injury
Manchester United’s January transfer plans will remain unchanged despite Anthony Martialundergoing groin surgery that is expected to keep him out for 10 weeks.
The club are not projecting any major signings and even a loan arrival has been ruled out at this stage, with United’s spending severely restricted by profit and sustainability (PSR) rules.
Martial’s absence does not alter United’s restrained approach despite the team struggling for goals. The financial picture is well established at Old Trafford and with the Premier Leagueshowing its teeth this month by charging Evertonand Nottingham Forestfor PSR breaches, club staff believe the risk of long-term punishment is not worth a short-term fix. Everton have been docked 10 points this campaign.
Erik ten Hag predicted United would go through the winter window without making additions and although the pressure is on to qualify for the Champions League, he believes the return to fitness of several players should augment his options. Mason Mount, Amad Dialloand even Casemiroallow for more attacking potential.
Talks have taken place to assess the market for low-cost centre-forwards and the arrival of INEOS has shaken up the environment, but United have paused on progressing anything. Martial is not a factor in this equation, partly because Ten Hag has gone with other choices up front for much of the season, namely Rasmus Hojlundand Marcus Rashford, and the Frenchman was not expected to be a pivotal figure in the run-in.
Martial has been out since December 17, when illness stopped him from featuring in the 0-0 draw away to Liverpool. Poor health continued to keep him sidelined, although there was some mystery around his absence when he watched the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspurfrom the Old Trafford directors’ box, sitting in a row between Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, on January 14.
It transpired that, by that stage, Martial had picked up the groin issue, although there was dialogue over whether he could play through the discomfort. The problem was monitored and discussed to decide if an operation was required, with the final decision influenced by Martial’s preference.
It was the type of injury that can be managed for matches, but there was no great dispute between player and staff and both sides were in agreement on the course of action, bearing in mind Martial is out of contract at the end of the season and expected to leave. Martial will be allowed to heal up properly rather than potentially suffer further damage.
Martial is 28, usually the peak age for a striker, but he has not played a full 90-minute game since September 22, 2021, in the Carabao Cup third round against West Ham United. That was his only full game in the 2021-22 campaign, although he did feature for 102 minutes of a Europa Leaguetie that went to extra time, also against West Ham, when on loan at Sevilla. That temporary move away was triggered when interim United manager Ralf Rangnick accused Martial of refusing to be in his squad for a game at Aston Villa; claims the player denied. There had been consistent communication issues over fitness.
The last time Martial completed 90 minutes in the Premier League was on January 21, 2021, against Sheffield United, when defeat stopped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side from going top. Martial then suffered torn knee ligaments in April.
He has started seven games this season, reaching the 80th minute on one occasion, and made 12 substitute appearances, scoring two goals across those 629 on-pitch minutes.
This is his ninth campaign as a United player after arriving from Monaco as an 18-year-old for a fee that rose to £44.7million (now $57m). He has scored 90 goals in 307 games for United, a total that is regarded as deeply disappointing given his technique. In some ways, he is a symbol of the type of situation those from INEOS want to avoid in future.
Martial’s recent unavailability was a factor in Joe Hugill’s loan to Burton Albion being delayed, with Ten Hag requiring another player in training. Hugill, 20, has a goal and an assist in two League Oneappearances.
In the summer, United will again look at centre-forward reinforcements, using the savings from Martial’s £240,000-a-week salary. Ten Hag likes Brian Brobbey, 21, after their time together at Ajax, while United are watching Ivan Toney’s return to Premier League football with Brentford.
Martial’s rehabilitation period raises the prospect of him potentially having played his last game for the club. If he is out for the anticipated 10 weeks, he would likely be available for the trip to Chelsea on April 3, with seven further Premier League fixtures to follow, but there is no guarantee of selection in that time.
https://theathletic.com/5224776/2024/01/25/manchester-united-transfers-anthony-martial/
Manchester United’s January transfer plans unchanged despite Martial’s latest injury
Manchester United’s January transfer plans will remain unchanged despite Anthony Martialundergoing groin surgery that is expected to keep him out for 10 weeks.
The club are not projecting any major signings and even a loan arrival has been ruled out at this stage, with United’s spending severely restricted by profit and sustainability (PSR) rules.
Martial’s absence does not alter United’s restrained approach despite the team struggling for goals. The financial picture is well established at Old Trafford and with the Premier Leagueshowing its teeth this month by charging Evertonand Nottingham Forestfor PSR breaches, club staff believe the risk of long-term punishment is not worth a short-term fix. Everton have been docked 10 points this campaign.
Erik ten Hag predicted United would go through the winter window without making additions and although the pressure is on to qualify for the Champions League, he believes the return to fitness of several players should augment his options. Mason Mount, Amad Dialloand even Casemiroallow for more attacking potential.
Talks have taken place to assess the market for low-cost centre-forwards and the arrival of INEOS has shaken up the environment, but United have paused on progressing anything. Martial is not a factor in this equation, partly because Ten Hag has gone with other choices up front for much of the season, namely Rasmus Hojlundand Marcus Rashford, and the Frenchman was not expected to be a pivotal figure in the run-in.
Martial has been out since December 17, when illness stopped him from featuring in the 0-0 draw away to Liverpool. Poor health continued to keep him sidelined, although there was some mystery around his absence when he watched the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspurfrom the Old Trafford directors’ box, sitting in a row between Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, on January 14.
It transpired that, by that stage, Martial had picked up the groin issue, although there was dialogue over whether he could play through the discomfort. The problem was monitored and discussed to decide if an operation was required, with the final decision influenced by Martial’s preference.
It was the type of injury that can be managed for matches, but there was no great dispute between player and staff and both sides were in agreement on the course of action, bearing in mind Martial is out of contract at the end of the season and expected to leave. Martial will be allowed to heal up properly rather than potentially suffer further damage.
Martial is 28, usually the peak age for a striker, but he has not played a full 90-minute game since September 22, 2021, in the Carabao Cup third round against West Ham United. That was his only full game in the 2021-22 campaign, although he did feature for 102 minutes of a Europa Leaguetie that went to extra time, also against West Ham, when on loan at Sevilla. That temporary move away was triggered when interim United manager Ralf Rangnick accused Martial of refusing to be in his squad for a game at Aston Villa; claims the player denied. There had been consistent communication issues over fitness.
The last time Martial completed 90 minutes in the Premier League was on January 21, 2021, against Sheffield United, when defeat stopped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side from going top. Martial then suffered torn knee ligaments in April.
He has started seven games this season, reaching the 80th minute on one occasion, and made 12 substitute appearances, scoring two goals across those 629 on-pitch minutes.
This is his ninth campaign as a United player after arriving from Monaco as an 18-year-old for a fee that rose to £44.7million (now $57m). He has scored 90 goals in 307 games for United, a total that is regarded as deeply disappointing given his technique. In some ways, he is a symbol of the type of situation those from INEOS want to avoid in future.
Martial’s recent unavailability was a factor in Joe Hugill’s loan to Burton Albion being delayed, with Ten Hag requiring another player in training. Hugill, 20, has a goal and an assist in two League Oneappearances.
In the summer, United will again look at centre-forward reinforcements, using the savings from Martial’s £240,000-a-week salary. Ten Hag likes Brian Brobbey, 21, after their time together at Ajax, while United are watching Ivan Toney’s return to Premier League football with Brentford.
Martial’s rehabilitation period raises the prospect of him potentially having played his last game for the club. If he is out for the anticipated 10 weeks, he would likely be available for the trip to Chelsea on April 3, with seven further Premier League fixtures to follow, but there is no guarantee of selection in that time.
https://theathletic.com/5224776/2024/01/25/manchester-united-transfers-anthony-martial/
