When you thought there was no more spring there, Anthony Martial goes on another hop. His time at Manchester United has had a lot of ups and downs.
The following season saw an improvement after an exciting debut in the Premier League, but the removal of his No. 9 shirt appeared to have taken his ability to finish with it as his goals fell off the following three seasons and injuries took hold. Martial recorded his highest-ever goal total of 23 in the 2019–20 season, however the surge was short-lived.
The Frenchman scored just seven goals the year before, managed just two goals last season, and had a miserable loan stint at Sevilla.
Anthony Martial most likely felt the effects of the manager's excellent coaching first. He performed admirably during preseason, reigniting hopes that he may finally turn out to be the attacker United needed. Then the injuries struck hard. Martial missed the first few games of the season due to a hamstring injury, but he made a strong comeback against Liverpool before breaking his Achilles. Before suffering a back injury, his subsequent return was even better, with three goals and an assist in three games.
The entire campaign has been like this. Ten Hag is in a bind because there aren't many options for strikers due to Martial's six separate injuries. Even more upsetting is the fact that Martial plainly enjoys playing for the new management.
But if a player doesn't play, it makes no difference how good he is. Due to this, Martial was one of the players listed for sale this summer along with Harry Maguire, Alex Telles, Brandon Williams, Eric Bailly, and Dean Henderson as United started to formulate their transfer window plans.
Given his near-constant lack of availability and the fact that United will be eager to sign an elite-level striker as a matter of priority, with Harry Kane the preferred target, he won't have much of an argument. But as certain as the sun rising, Martial has made a tremendous comeback from his most recent physical setback and may be about to alter his course.
Anthony Martial has now played in five of United's most recent contests, and he has improved with each. In place of the clumsy Wout Weghorst, United has really benefited from having an athletic and pacey presence up front, and he is once more productive. He scored his first league goal of 2023 against Everton, set up Marcel Sabitzer to score against Sevilla with a beautiful ball, and contributed to Nottingham Forest's first goal with his pushing against them.
The 27-year-old has once again demonstrated his value to Ten Hag's squad, both as a starter and as a sub, and has made sure that the absence of Marcus Rashford hasn't been felt too much.
The Dutchman is currently doing everything he can to control his minutes and keep him injury-free because he has been so patient and supportive. Up to 13 games left for United this season, and Martial must be available for every one of them and keep getting better if the club is to change its mind.
Of course, United still need to recruit a striker since Martial cannot be counted on to provide the goals the team needs and injuries will certainly recur at some point. However, as the current injury problem has demonstrated, you need as many high-caliber choices as you can throughout a taxing season, and Martial would undoubtedly be a useful and flexible player to keep.
But the latest development regarding Man United's hunt for a new striker has hit a major low
Marcus Thuram is a free agent this summer, and Manchester United is interested in signing him, but they run the risk of losing out to Inter, who are looking for a Romelu Lukaku successor.
Two years after his £97.5 million sale to the Italian club, where he has endured an injury-plagued loan season, Lukaku is certain to return to Chelsea this summer. The pursuit of Thuram by United may potentially be in jeopardy as a result of the Serie A team's decision.
The 25-year-old was a member of the France World Cup team and played a significant role in the championship game. This year, he is expected to be in great demand. The wide forward was frequently mentioned in connection with a transfer to United during the January transfer window.
According to the Italian publication La Republicca, Thuram's desire to play in the Premier League and Erik ten Hag's willingness to add the Frenchman to his attacking lineup may be enough to secure a contract either in the summer as a free agent.
According to a French source from Telefoot, the forward has his heart set on leaving Borussia Park after four seasons in Germany and has also been linked to United. Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Inter, and Chelsea are also eyeing the 2022 World Cup finalist.
The Frenchman has scored 44 goals in four seasons at Gladbach, but this season has been his greatest offensive season ever. In just 29 games this season, he has scored 16 goals, and it is obvious that he is getting better in the final third.
He previously played for Guingamp for two Ligue 1 seasons after making his professional debut at the age of 18 for Sochaux in France's second level. He has become a true attacking star and a regular in the France team in Germany, though.
Thuram's father, Lilian, is one of football's most well-known defenders, having played for Monaco, Parma, Juventus, Ajax and, during the final two seasons of his career, with Barcelona. He has earned 142 caps for France.
He had become a target for United as they look to add to their depth in the attacking positions. The club's only two senior striker alternatives are Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, who prefer playing on the left, with Thuram prospering in a central attacking role at club level. At least one center striker will likely be acquired by the team this summer.
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