Anthony Martial is the latest in a long line of Manchester United players who think they’re too good for the badge on their chest. Erik ten Hag must make an example of him, to eradicate this behaviour for good.
Manchester United Football Club has been taken over. No, not by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, rather, a dressing room of players who are trying to rule the roost.
The same core of individuals want an easy life. Threaten their comfort and they’ll get you sacked. Just ask Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Both started positively. Both eventually wilted down under the pressure of a dressing room that’s jam-packed with overinflated egos.
Erik ten Hag managed to win the war against Jadon Sancho, at least in the short-term. He now has another battle on his hands with Anthony Martial, who is currently not training with the first-team squad due to a lack of fitness.
We’ve not seen Tony Martial since early-December. He was dealing with the flu, much like many of his teammates over the Christmas period. They’ve all returned. Martial hasn’t.
He’s still not fit. Over a month later. After a bout of sickness. If that’s not raising attitude questions (and a massive red flag), then I don’t know what will…
We’re talking about a man who hasn’t improved one jot since making the move to Manchester. Sure, some of that is down to the club and the manager’s. Some of it is down to sheer laziness. His ‘effort’ and ‘intensity’ on the field seems to be directly mirrored off it. He’s just happy to collect his wage, not play in games and just go about his business.
United have made that rod for their own back far too many times. I’d like to think this is the last time they’ll handicap themselves in that regard – at least for the foreseeable future.
Martial could have moved away in January. Offers came. Offers went. Instead, he turned them all down so he can stay cosy in Manchester, without having to earn his massive wages.
I’m sick of it. No doubt the majority of supporters are, too. United should use this opportunity to make an example of the 28-year-old. Sure, Martial can stay, but he will not play unless he’s giving his all for the badge on his chest. When the summer rolls around, let him leave for free, much like Jesse Lingard and David de Gea. Both are still without a club, by the way. The big-boys will not touch them (or Martial) with a barge pole.
Yes, United have made mistakes, then repeated those errors trying to protect the value of players like Martial. His contract expires this summer. Let him walk. Take the hit. I reckon that’s exactly what INEOS will do as they look to usher in a new era here at the Theatre of Dreams.
For far too long we’ve been held prisoner of the moment by players like Martial. Those days have to end sooner rather than later if this club is deadly serious about returning to the top. Do you think City would put up with the likes of this? It’s exactly why they rid of Jadon Sancho all those years ago. They keep their players in line. United do the exact opposite.
This is a player who ended up leaving on loan a few years ago because he was deemed not good enough. This is a player who is constantly injured. This is a player who doesn’t have a care in the world. Nor will he when United eventually release him. There’s nothing wrong with that. It just doesn’t work at the elite level.
Do you think Anthony Martial has played his last game for Man United? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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