Former Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has been offered an escape route back into football following his latest career low. The 30-year-old agreed to terminate his contract at Monterrey earlier this month, having signed for the Mexican club last September.
Martial's Recent Struggles
Martial, who left United in 2024, had penned a two-year contract with Monterrey, with the option of a further 12 months, but he was cut off after just one goal and three assists in 20 matches. It left the Frenchman back at square one again, and a free agent for the third time in three years after his departure from United and a short stint at AEK Athens, where he scored nine times in 23 games during the 2024/25 season.
Now a free agent for the third time in three years, Martial is 'dreaming' of reviving his career back in his homeland - more than a decade since departing Monaco for United. According to Foot Mercato, Martial is ready to return to Ligue 1, and his name was put on the list of several sporting directors in France.
Interest from Nice
However, the player's salary demands and disappointing recent record have dampened the enthusiasm of most potential suitors. But one club that remain interested are Nice, owned by United's Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe, who acquired a 27.7% stake in United in 2024, has had full ownership of Nice for the last seven years and has kept them as a consistent Ligue 1 performer, up until last season. The club almost suffered relegation to France's second-tier, but a 4-1 aggregate play-off win against Saint-Etienne ensured their survival.
They are hoping to strengthen their squad in a bid to avoid such a nervous end to the season, and Martial has emerged as a target for the summer transfer window. It's added that Nice are still being cautious, however, and must reduce their squad size to lower their wage bill before considering such a move.
Injury and Departure from Monterrey
Martial's time at Monterrey was disrupted by a dislocated shoulder suffered in February. He was forced to be stretchered off in severe pain during a 1-0 win against Club Leon in Liga Mx. His final appearance for Monterrey, known as one of the biggest clubs in North America, came on March 18 against Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where he played 60 minutes before being substituted. The ex-Sevilla man was then left out of the Monterrey squad for their remaining five matches of the season - and a decision was made for him to be released at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Fall from Grace
It's a dramatic fall from grace for Martial, who was tipped to become one of the best attackers in world football when he made the £36m move to United from Monaco in 2015. He scored on his debut as a second-half substitute against Liverpool and went on to fire in 17 goals across his first season. Martial was a key part of United's attack for his first couple of years at Old Trafford, reaching double figures for goals in four of his opening five seasons in a Reds shirt. The Frenchman posted his most prolific record in the Covid-19 hit 2019/20 campaign, where he notched an impressive 23 goals in 48 matches.
But that is as good as it got for Martial at United as his career began to dwindle, falling down the pecking order in 2021/22 before being used as a bit-part player under Erik ten Hag. After scoring just twice in 19 matches across his final season at United, a decision was made for Martial to leave the club at the end of the 2023/24 season, following a nine-year spell in Manchester.
