Finally, that moment arrived. One of the biggest, if not THE biggest flops in the modern Manchester United era will finally leave the club. Anthony Martial informed his followers on Instagram what we already knew – that he would be a free agent after nine years as the Red Devil. During that time, he played 317 times, scored 90 goals and provided 47 assists. The 28-year-old hasn’t made an appearance for the club since December after undergoing groin surgery. He returned to training ahead of the final games of the season but wasn’t named in a matchday squad. 🚨 BREAKING: Anthony Martial says goodbye to #MUFC.It was special, Tony! Love you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lkCDyYHzun— UtdPaper (@UtdPaper_) May 27, 2024 Unfortunately for the club officials, fans and the player himself, his name will be associated with a term ‘bad transfer business’. He arrived for a large amount of money (58 million pounds) from Monaco in 2015 when Luis Van Gaal was the manager and was dubbed the new Thierry Henry, but actually never came close to the former Arsenal captain. The only good thing for Manchester after all these years, during which the player was either injured or not motivated, was that the final sum paid for him was not 58 but rather 43 million, which now also seems too much. But, they can thank the contract clauses for that. He was considered such a big future star that one clause said that United would have to play 7 million more to Monaco if Martial won the Ballon d’Or by 2019. That never happened, just like the second clause, which provided Monaco with another 7 million if their former player plays 25 matches for France. After nine years since the move was made, he is still at 19. The only clause Manchester had to pay was that Martial was gonna score 25 Premier League goals between 2015 and 2019. Remarkably, that clause was not activated until October 2018. Finally some sence at Old Trafford: Martial will be let go”Dear Manchester United fans, 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. Since I arrived in 2015, I have had the immense honour of wearing this shirt and playing in front of you, the best supporters in the world! 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. I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you’ve done for me. Your songs, your encouragement and your love for the club are memories that will remain engraved in my heart forever. 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. I’m leaving to take on new challenges, I’ll always be a Red Devil and I’ll continue to follow the club’s results with passion” he wrote on his Instagram account. For now, nobody knows where will he continue his career. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8123607##
