Though new faces have yet to arrive this transfer deadline day for Manchester United, it’s certainly good news for fans awaiting fresh news.
As midfielder Marouane Fellaini leaves for pastures new in China, star winger Anthony Martial has committed himself to the club for the next five years by signing a brand-spanking new contract with the side he has been at since 2015, in a move that will surely delight the red side of Manchester.
Martial once again has been one of United’s standout players this season and signing a new contract will ideally keep him as a Red Devil under 2024, with once again the option to extend for a further year.
“I am loving my time at this club,” Martial stated after slapping down his signature (via manutd.com).
“From the day I joined I have been made to feel part of the United family and I have been incredibly humbled and overwhelmed by the warmth and love of our fans, who continue to amaze me with their support.
Manchester United don’t need reminding about how the winger made his debut upon signing for the club from Ligue 1 side Monaco, becoming at the time the most expensive teenager in the football. We bet your halfway to YouTubing his goal against Liverpool right now.
Back in the summer, Martial’s future in Manchester was extremely precarious, with then-manager Jose Mourinho reportedly adamant about shifting him out of the door.
The came the Frenchman’s sizzling up-turn of form, more often that not providing a the Portuguese coach occasional get-out-of-jail-free cards (which, of course, eventually expired).
“I would like to thank [current manager] Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and his coaching staff for their belief in me and for helping me to take my game to the next level,” the 23-year-old Martial continued.
“This club is all about winning trophies and I am sure the next piece of silverware is not that far away.”
His interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, under whom Martial has scored three goals in six appearances, said:
“Anthony is one of those naturally gifted players that any coach would love to work with. For a young man, he has a good footballing brain which, when coupled with his exceptional talent, makes for a player with an exciting future ahead of him.
“This is the perfect club for Anthony to progress his development as a top-class forward and we are all delighted he has signed a long-term deal.”
Expect an extra rapturous reception from devoted United fans in their next game, should Martial take to the field, against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
