Why Anthony Martial could end up staying at Manchester United

With less than a week left till the Premier League transfer deadline, it looks increasingly as though Anthony Martial will stay at Manchester United for the 2018/19 season.

Anthony Martial has been incessantly linked with a move away from United throughout the transfer window, thanks to strained relations with Jose Mourinho.

His playing time in the second half of last season was also cut short following the signing of Alexis Sanchez in the winter.

Martial recently left Manchester United’s pre-season training camp right before their International Champions Cup match against AC Milan to attend the birth of his child.

After failing to return on time, United were supposedly set to fine him two weeks’ worth of wages, which would come to around £180,000.

Potential destinations for Martial

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Chelsea are currently on the hunt for a world class winger to replace Eden Hazard, should the Belgian’s move to Real Madrid materialize.

Bayern Munich are also desperate for reinforcements out wide, with both Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben entering their mid-thirties.

United themselves were reportedly in the market for a winger, with Chelsea’s Willian and Inter’s Ivan Perisic being touted as potential targets.

But with both those teams demanding Martial in return, it is understood that the United high brass are not willing to exchange a 22 year old with his entire future ahead of him for players who will soon turn 30.

Home is where the heart is.

Any potential deal that does not include a swap will mean that United will demand around £80 million, a valuation that is likely to hinder both Chelsea and Bayern thanks to the availability of cheaper options.

And Mourinho is also set to include the winger in the squad that will be facing Bayern on the 5th of August in Germany.

All this points to Martial staying in Manchester, at least as far as this transfer window is concerned.

While leaving Manchester United could mean more playing time for him, the Old Trafford faithful wouldn’t be too happy to see him go, as he’s established himself as a fan favorite over 3 seasons.

Mourinho will also prefer to have him in his squad for the opening fixtures. With the Portuguese boss claiming that his World Cup stars need more rest, it could mean facing Leicester without both Lingard and Rashford, so he’ll need Martial to play on the left.

The Frenchman’s future at Old Trafford beyond next January’s transfer window will probably be dictated by his performances in the next few months. United themselves will need him to be at his very best if they are to mount a viable challenge for the league title.