Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has announced his departure from the club after nine years of service. Although he was the most expensive teenager in the world when signed by United in 2015 for £36m, Martial failed to meet expectations during his time at Old Trafford. In 317 appearances, he scored 90 goals but his last game was a 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth in December. Following groin surgery in January, Martial never returned to the first-team squad and his contract is set to expire this summer.
In a heartfelt message on social media, Martial expressed gratitude to the club and its supporters for the incredible nine years he spent at Manchester United. He reflected on his time wearing the team’s shirt and playing in front of the fans, describing them as the best supporters in the world. Despite his departure, Martial emphasized that Manchester United will always hold a special place in his heart. During his tenure at the club, Martial won several titles including the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and Europa League.
Martial received well-wishes from his former teammates, including Marcus Rashford who shared memories and blessings for the next chapter in Martial’s career. Rashford who recently announced plans to take a break from social media following a challenging season both individually and collectively expressed gratitude to fans who supported him during tough times. He reminded fans that unity is a key value at Manchester United and they will always stand together as a team.
Martial’s departure marks an end of an era for Manchester United but it also paves way for new opportunities ahead. The club’s management will now focus on finding replacements for players whose contracts are expiring this summer.
