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Manchester United winger interested in move to Juventus

By Benjamin Barkworth

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Anthony Martial of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor on January 20, 2018 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Anthony Martial of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor on January 20, 2018 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Anthony Martial could join Juventus in the summer, with Bayern Munich also interested.

According to The Times, Anthony Martial is unhappy about his limited role in the Manchester United first-team, with a move away to Juventus being seen as the solution. His talent is attracting multiple big clubs, though, with the German champions Bayern Munich also thought to be interested.

Both clubs have a gap for him in their starting XI’s, so it would make sense for him to join either. He wouldn’t be cheap, though, due to his age and talent. Martial’s current contract runs out in 2019, which means United will want to cash in on him while they can.

The French winger has been limited to 1378 minutes in the league, according to WhoScored. In that time, he has managed nine goals and five assists. Focusing purely on goals, he has scored on average once every 153 minutes.

In contrast, Marcus Rashford has averaged a goal every 247 minutes and Alexis Sanchez has averaged one every 339 minutes, although he has played half as many minutes compared to the other two.

Therefore, Martial is the best in this regard and this isn’t taking into account his superior creative output with five assists. He also managed a goal and two assists in 343 Champions League minutes.

These statistics show how decisive and efficient he has been for the Red Devils this season. If anything, he should start most games as the left winger. His demotion down the pecking order is completely undeserved.

Long-term planning?

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 15: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on April 15, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 15: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on April 15, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Sanchez’s transfer hasn’t had the desired immediate impact as of yet. He may do better in a full season, but he was brought in with the short-term in mind. His arrival has limited the minutes of both Martial and Rashford with little reward.

Potentially losing Martial in the summer means they have basically replaced him with Sanchez. There is nothing wrong with backing the manager in the transfer market, but this sequence of events represents poor long-term planning from the board and Jose Mourinho.

This kind of transfer business will damage the club more than it will help it. They need young talents such as Martial who can offer quality in the long-term. Sanchez only has a few more years left at his peak if he hasn’t already started to decline. Rashford does offer a long-term solution for that role, but not bringing in the Chilean could have potentially allowed them to keep both.

Next: Marcus Rashford should stay at United

Which club is the better option?

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Assuming that he does decide to leave, which club out of Juventus and Bayern would be the better option for his career?

Both sides dominate their domestic competitions with the Bavarian giants already confirmed as champions and Juventus six points ahead of second place Napoli with six games remaining. They are also both in the final of their respective cup competitions.

They also both consistently challenge into the latter stages of the Champions League. Bayern won the competition back in 2013 with last season being the only time they haven’t reached the semi-finals since then.

Juventus have reached two of the last three finals before succumbing to Spanish opposition on both occasions. Holders Real Madrid knocked them out of the competition in the quarter-finals this season. Therefore, they can both offer more than United because they were knocked out in the Round of Sixteen by Sevilla.

Bayern are in the process of properly replacing Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. French compatriot Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry are the other long-term prospects Bayern have for this transition. Therefore, there would be competition for a starting place, but Martial could comfortably win the battle with Gnabry.

Juventus have a position available on the left-wing which currently rotates between Douglas Costa, Alex Sandro and Mario Mandzukic. The Croatian is more of a hybrid second striker rather than a winger or inside forward, though, in order to create an aerial mismatch with the opposition full-back.

Martial would definitely feature heavily in Max Allegri’s plans because he offers something different from what they currently have. His ability to cut in from the left would give La Vecchia Signora another powerful attacking weapon.

Juventus would be the better option because they are in the more competitive league, but neither side would be a bad choice.

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