Manchester United have officially confirmed that French forward Anthony Martial will depart the club at the end of June when his contract expires, bringing to a close a nine-year tenure at Old Trafford.
The 28-year-old arrived from Monaco in September 2015 for a then-record fee for a teenager, but has struggled with consistency and fitness throughout his time in Manchester.
Injury-Plagued Final Season
Martial's final campaign with the Red Devils was severely hampered by injury, limiting him to just 13 Premier League appearances. His last match in the famous red shirt came in December against Chelsea, with a groin operation ultimately ending his season prematurely.
Despite showing moments of exceptional talent, Martial never quite fulfilled the promise of his early days at the club, particularly his memorable debut goal against Liverpool.
Manager's Perspective
United manager Erik ten Hag had previously expressed frustration with Martial's availability, noting the significant impact his absences had on the team's attacking options. The Dutch manager often found himself relying heavily on young striker Rasmus Højlund due to Martial's fitness issues.
The club's statement confirmed: "Anthony Martial will leave Manchester United at the end of this season, following the conclusion of his contract. The club thanks Anthony for his service during his nine years at Manchester United and wishes him all the best for the future."
What's Next for Martial?
As a free agent, Martial will have no shortage of suitors across Europe, with several clubs in France and Turkey reportedly showing interest. His departure marks another step in United's ongoing squad rebuild under the new INEOS leadership structure.
While his time at United may be remembered as somewhat underwhelming given his initial promise, Martial nonetheless contributed 90 goals in 317 appearances across all competitions, securing Europa League, FA Cup, and two League Cup winners' medals during his stint.
