Some Manchester United fans who travelled to Craven Cottage for Saturday’s Premier League win over Fulham were left fuming with Anthony Martial. The 27-year-old is claimed to have headed straight down the tunnel after full-time, ignoring the jubilant away end after Bruno Fernandes’ late winner.
United were uninspiring again in west London, needing a 91st-minute moment of magic from Fernandes to stop the rot following a disastrous week at Old Trafford.
Rasmus Hojlund has started United’s last 10 games in the Premier League and Champions League after recovering from a minor back injury he suffered in pre-season with Atalanta.
During the £72million star’s recovery at the start of the campaign, Martial started back-to-back Premier League games. However, since then, he’s had to settle for two starts – both coming in rotated Carabao Cup sides.
The Frenchman has scored just once in 14 appearances this term, making him a consistently impactless impact substitute.
And while Martial has never cut a charismatic figure since arriving at United as a teenager in 2015, his body language suggests he’s not enjoying his back-up role under Ten Hag.
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Eagle-eyed viewers watching Fernandes’ sensational last-gasp winner noticed Martial was the only player in the shot not visibly celebrating the goal.
After full-time, some fans took to social media to fume at Martial, who allegedly snubbed the travelling faithful and headed straight for the tunnel after his 16-minute cameo.
The United No 9 is out of contract next summer, and it’s unlikely the club will offer him an extension to end an ultimately disappointing nine-year career at Old Trafford.
Martial arrived in Manchester as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards, winning the Golden Boy award in the same year.
But relentless injury woes derailed his development, and he has never hit the heights of the potential he showcased almost a decade ago.
Martial has scored 89 goals and registered 54 assists in 311 appearances for United, failing to sustain a strong run of form for a prolonged period.
His best season came under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019/20, netting 23 times and providing 12 assists in 48 games to entertain the masses during a bizarre Covid-hit campaign.
Ten Hag is reportedly eyeing a new striker in the January transfer window, though, which could pave the way for an exit earlier than next summer.
