Anthony Martial confirms departure from Manchester United in emotional address
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Manchester United's Anthony Martial has not played a senior game since December after undergoing groin surgery.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – France forward Anthony Martial confirmed on May 27 that he will leave Manchester United after nine years in a heartfelt message to fans of the Red Devils.
“It’s with great emotion that I write to you today to say goodbye. After nine incredible years at the club, the time has come for me to turn a new page in my career,” the 28-year-old said in a statement on Instagram.
“You have been an unwavering support, through the good times and the difficult.
“Your passion and loyalty have been a constant source of motivation for me.”
Martial joined the Premier League club in a £36 million (S$62 million) move from French side Monaco in September 2015 but failed to live up to expectations, largely due to his injuries.
He has not played a senior game since December after undergoing groin surgery.
During his time in England, he won the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League. He played 317 matches and scored 90 goals in all competitions.
“Manchester United will always be in my heart. This club has left its mark on my career and offered me an incredible opportunity to play in front of you,” continued Martial, who had a loan spell in 2022 at Spanish club Sevilla.
“I’m leaving to take on new challenges, but I’ll always be a Red Devil and I’ll continue to follow the club’s results with passion.”
The Frenchman is leaving as his contract expires in June.
His compatriot and defender Raphael Varane will also depart Old Trafford as there was no new deal for the 31-year-old.
Meanwhile, the BBC reported that United co-chairman Joel Glazer and minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe are leading the club’s end-of-season review that will decide manager Erik ten Hag’s future.
There will also be input from technical director Jason Wilcox and Ratcliffe’s right-hand man Dave Brailsford.
Ratcliffe’s Ineos group was supposed to have “sporting control” – it initially said that it will rule over all football operations – but ultimately the Glazer family are the owners of the club.
The Ineos minority investment deal, confirmed in February, had given the unpopular Glazers a lifeline to stay.
The BBC also said that one of the issues should Ratcliffe decide to sack ten Hag, who led the team to a worst-ever eighth-placed finish in the Premier League, will be his compensation.
The FA Cup victory means the club will have to pay the Dutchman more as they have qualified for the Europa League.
AFP, REUTERS
