Erik ten Hag hasn’t ruled out Anthony Martial staying at Manchester United beyond the end of this season, confirming the club is “talking” to the striker about his contract.
Martial’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season but includes an option, which is fairly standard at the club, for another 12 months until the summer of 2025.
United were considered unlikely to use their option on Martial, who has struggled for fitness and form for a number of seasons, but Ten Hag has now suggested there is a possibility otherwise.
Raphael Varane is in the same boat as his fellow countryman and also in discussions with the club. Three other players have already seen their deals extended by a year.
“We are talking with Rapha Varane and with Anthony Martial. We triggered the options on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal,” Ten Hag said on Thursday afternoon when he addressed the media ahead of United’s FA Cup third round tie against Wigan Athletic.
Martial has scored twice in 19 appearances across all competitions so far this season and is not typically a starter, with 12 of those games seeing him come off the bench. The 28-year-old, who didn’t meet the threshold for £14.4m worth of add-ons in his 2015 transfer from Monaco, has been injury free this season but has missed the last five games through illness.
Thursday’s press conference was also an opportunity for reporters to quiz the United boss on the fresh report that Jadon Sancho, exiled from the first-team in recent months, is edging closer to a return to former club Borussia Dortmund before the January transfer window closes.
Unsurprisingly, the Dutchman offered little in the way of clarification either way.
“I can’t say anything about that,” he commented. “We have to wait and see how things are going. When we have news, we will tell you.”
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