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MANCHESTER. — French striker Anthony Martial has told Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick he wants to leave.
Rangnick said he “spoke at length” on Wednesday with the 26-year-old, who told him “it’s the right time for a change”.
Martial has started just two English Premier League football games this season, scoring once.
Despite his desire to leave Old Trafford, Rangnick confirmed the club had not yet received an offer for the forward. The player’s agent Philippe Lamboley confirmed earlier this month Martial wanted to leave the club in January, adding he would “speak to the club soon”.
Rangnick said: “He explained to me that he’s been at Manchester United now for the last seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else.”
Martial signed for United in 2015 from Monaco for £36m, making him the world’s most expensive teenage footballer at the time.
He has scored 79 goals in 268 appearances for the Red Devils but has become a fringe player following the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Jadon Sancho.
He did not featured in any of Rangnick’s games in charge so far and has made just 10 appearances in all competitions this season.
“I think in a way it is understandable,” added Rangnick.
“I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club. We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we have high ambitions and want to be as successful as we can be.
“So far, as far as I know, there has been no offer from any other club and as long as this is the case he will stay.”
Rangnick also said he shares Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s concerns over signing players who are not vaccinated against coronavirus.
Klopp recently said a player’s vaccinated status would be “influential” in the club’s decision to sign them.
“I think it could be a consideration,” Rangnick said. — AFP.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter