Gary Neville backs Man United striker Anthony Martial’s desire to leave Old Trafford in January if the club ‘get good money for him’ as the ex-defender insists the ‘time is right’
- Anthony Martial’s agent revealed he wants to leave Man United in January
- The striker is said to be considering his options ahead of the transfer window
- The Frenchman is reportedly unhappy with his lack of game time at the club
- The forward has made just two league starts and one in the Champions League
Gary Neville has backed Manchester United striker Anthony Martial’s desire to leave Old Trafford in January, saying the ‘time is right’ for the 26-year-old to leave.
The Frenchman has been frozen out amid fierce attacking competition at the club and has made just two league starts this season.
Martial is reportedly considering his options before the transfer window opens on January and his agent Philippe Lamboley revealed his intention to make an Old Trafford exit.
Gary Neville (left) has backed Anthony Martial’s (right) desire to leave Manchester United
‘Anthony wishes to leave the club in January,’ Lamboley told Sky Sports News.
‘He just needs to play. He doesn’t want to stay in January and I will speak to the club soon.’
Former United defender Neville believed now is the best opportunity for the Red Devils to cash in on Martial.
‘I think if they can get good money for him… I probably would have said if they could have got good money for him in the summer, players that they’ve got then yes I would,’ he told Sky Sports.
The Frenchman (R) last started a league game against Everton when he scored for United
‘I think that now the time has come. I think Manchester United have always been wary of getting burnt.
‘Of him leaving for £25m and then going on to become a £100m player because he is a special talent.
‘I just don’t think he’ll ever work at Old Trafford to the extent they’ve got Rashford, Greenwood, Ronaldo, Cavani, other players as well.
‘I just think now is the time for him to leave and go and play regular football so I think it’s the right time.’
Martial faces an uncertain future following the arrival of interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
He missed the new boss’s first two games in charge due to a knee injury but it appears unlikely that he will become a regular starter under the 63-year-old.
The striker is expected to remain a substitute under new interim manager Ralf Rangnick (R)
Barcelona have been credited with interest in Martial, with the cash-strapped Catalans making a surprise enquiry for the Old Trafford outcast.
Meanwhile, Juventus have reportedly listed Martial on a five-man shortlist of potential back-ups in case they fail to secure priority target Dusan Vlahovic, the highly-rated Fiorentina forward.
Martial signed a new deal in 2019 and has three years left on his current contract, with the option to extend it for an additional year.
United are in a strong negotiating position ahead of receiving potential offers in the January transfer window, with Martial keen to move elsewhere.
