Anthony Martial Waves Goodbye to Manchester United After Nine Seasons At The Old Trafford Stadium.
Forward Anthony Martial has confirmed his departure from Manchester United after nine seasons at the club. The Frenchman, who was once the most expensive teenager in the world when he signed for United from Monaco for £36 million in 2015, struggled to meet the high expectations set for him.
Martial, 28, scored 90 goals in 317 appearances for United. However, his last game for the club was a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on December 9. Following groin surgery in January, he returned to training but did not feature in the first-team squad again.
“It’s with great emotion that I write to you today to say goodbye,” Martial wrote on social media. “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. Manchester United will always be in my heart.”
During his time with United, Martial won the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup, and the Europa League. He also had a loan spell with Sevilla in 2022. Martial’s last cap for France came in 2021.
Several Manchester United players wished Martial well in the replies to his Instagram post, including fellow forward Marcus Rashford, who said: “So many memories together. Stay blessed brother.”
In related news, Rashford announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he plans to take a break from social media following a disappointing season where he scored only eight goals. Rashford, 26, was left out of England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024.
“It’s time to come off socials for a few weeks,” Rashford wrote. “I plan to rest and reset mentally after a challenging season individually and collectively. Thanks to the fans that stood by me through a difficult period. To the ones that didn’t, just remember at United, we always stick together.”
Meanwhile, England defender Luke Shaw addressed critics on social media who questioned his loyalty after an injury-hit season where he played just 15 games for United. Shaw, 28, has not played since February due to a muscle injury but has been selected in England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad.
“There’s nothing I want to do more than play and win with United,” Shaw wrote on Instagram. “I don’t normally react to things I see on social media but there’s a lot of people questioning my loyalty to this club and asking how I am fit for England but not United. The reality is I am not 100% fit for either right now but I am doing everything I can and constantly working to be [fit]. I have been at this club for 10 years through highs and lows and for anyone to question my loyalty is obviously frustrating. My biggest focus right now is being fit and then whatever happens this summer I will be ready.”
Martial’s departure marks the end of an era at Manchester United, with fans and teammates alike reflecting on his contributions and wishing him well in his future endeavors.
