Paris Saint-Germain are following Anthony Martial’s current situation at the Old Trafford and could come knocking with the money bag come January.
Additionally, they would offer a promise of first-team and regular football for the player who has remained on the periphery of selection at the Theatre of Dreams this season.
The offers might be very tempting to refuse for both player and club, with Martial keen to play regularly and return home to Champions League football, while Mourinho also isn’t too fond of the player, with as much as 5 solid options available for his role.
However, selling the 20-year-old, now or in the near future to a PSG set to continue monitoring his progress could be Manchester United’s greatest mistake since signing Falcao.
And here are some reasons why.
Martial is a gem that only needs polishing
He might have taken time to make any impressive performance since the season started, with midweek’s EFL Cup clash against West Ham his best thus far, but Martial is never unfit for United.
Mourinho suggested that a change in playing style might have halted Martial’s growth, but that is bound to happen to a 20-year-old who is still learning English football.
Discarding him isn’t the best solution, turning him into a better player is, and Jose must exercise patience as the France international continues his development.
His off-pitch crisis that made him go through a messy divorce is also having its toll on him, and it would take some considerable amount of time to put all that behind him and produce his consistent best for the Red Devils.
He is one for the future
Manchester United didn’t expect a Messi-Ronaldo combo type of delivery and performance when they signed Martial from Monaco last summer? Did they?
Winning the Golden Boy award and emerging as the club’s highest goal scorer for the season with 17 goals across all competitions go a long way to prove that he is a more of a long-term solution, and not the short-term magician and overnight success everyone wants him to have already turned into.
Martial will continue to get better, and if United endeavour to keep him until he hits the peak, then they might have found their next Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo and Van Persie rolled into one piece. They only need to give him time and allow him to grow.
He provides depth off the bench and stiff competition
Martial sure can still regain his starting spot in a matter of few matchdays from now. Apart from his brace on Wednesday, it shouldn’t be forgotten that no United player has scored more goals (21) than he has since the start of last season.
While he remains a very big contender for a spot in the starting XI, the value he brings to the play off the bench will also be very worthwhile to United’s campaign.
Manchester United have often been accused of lacking quality options in depth, but with Martial’s form set to continue improving, that would no longer be the case.
He remains a very competitive player for the forward roles, and could even give Zlatan the run for the money if he starts getting the goals anytime he is afforded the chance to play.
His sales will be a great loss to Manchester United.