Man Utd news: Were reports about Anthony Martial’s imminent new contract WRONG?

The Evening Standard reported that United had made significant progress in their bid to extend Martial’s terms at Old Trafford.

They even said that the forward is likely to accept a new deal in the coming weeks, complete with a significant pay rise. 

But RMC Sport suggest that such rumours are misplaced, with Martial’s camp having rejected all of the club’s offers so far.

It is claimed United will return with another offer in the coming weeks as they seek to extend the France international’s stay at the club.

But as of yet no resolution has been found with Martial’s current contract expiring in June 2020, though United can also exercise a clause which automatically triggers an additional year under his existing terms.

The two parties have been in talks since August following a summer in which the 22-year-old wanted to leave the club.

Martial’s agent, Phillipe Lamboley, told RMC Sport: “After thinking about all the possibilities, Anthony wants to leave Manchester United.

“When Manchester United, which is the most powerful club in the world, does not find an agreement in eight months of negotiations, it is that it does not really want to make it [Martial] an important player.

“It is a well-considered decision. He is under contract, United will have the last word and we will respect the decision of the club, it will go to the end of its commitment.

“We do not have the same vision on Anthony’s future. Without the unconditional support of the fans, Anthony would have already asked to leave United.

“I will not comment on the consequences of the January transfer window [when Alexis Sanchez joined]. Everyone will have his opinion, I think he must resume the course of his career. The time has come.”

Former Monaco man Martial has scored 38 goals in 144 games since moving to Old Trafford in the summer of 2015.

He was crowned the Golden Boy later the same year but has since found himself in and out of the United team under Jose Mourinho.

Martial has made five starts this season with a further three appearances from the bench having largely operated on the left wing, with Romelu Lukaku preferred as Mourinho’s sole striker.

Mourinho hinted at the reason he does not start Martial week-in, week-out in the Premier League and Champions League after a defeat to West Ham last month.

He said: ”I want to play Martial, something that you [the media] are asking for a long, long, long time.

”I left Alexis out and I think Martial is not a player very, very focused on his defensive duties.

“I thought to play him as a second striker would be easier for him and at the same time I feel we need quality on ball in the building up from the back.”