Manchester United interim manager, Ralf Ragnick has confirmed that Anthony Martial has told the club he wants to leave Old Trafford.
The Frenchman joined United from Monaco in September 2015, becoming the world’s most expensive teenage footballer with his transfer fee of £36m fee – potentially rising to £58m.
However, after seven years at Old Trafford, the 26-year-old has scored 79 goals in 268 appearances has fallen down the pecking order of United forwards following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Jadon Sancho and the emergence of Mason Greenwood.
Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley sparked a transfer rumour earlier this month when he told Sky Sports that Martial wants to depart in search of regular game-time.
Confirming the report, Ragnick said, “We spoke at length on Wednesday. He explained to me 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.
“I think in a way this is understandable, 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 still have high ambitions and want to be as successful as we can be.”
Lamboley had earlier revealed that his client preference is to join La Liga side Sevilla, while Barcelona and Juventus are also keen on signing the 26-year-old on an initial loan deal.
However, with the January transfer window opening in less than a week, Ragnick is confident that the France international will remain at Old Trafford as United are yet to receive a single offer from other clubs.
He said: “I told him listen, as long as there is no club showing interest in him, and it should not only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club.
“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.”
