Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Ten Hag told troubled Man Utd forward who isn’t giving maximum effort ‘wants a move’

Manchester United's Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

A Man Utd forward has copped a fresh round of criticism after it was claimed he’s only been trying his hardest in recent weeks in order to earn a move away.

Who leaves Old Trafford this summer is shaping up to be just as intriguing as who arrives. Indeed, while a new centre-forward, box-to-box midfielder and attacking upgrade at right-back are wanted, there’s no shortage of senior stars who could be axed.

The likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Brandon Williams, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek, Facundo Pellistri, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Martial have all been linked with leaving by varying outlets.

A scathing report from the Manchester Evening News recently listed four high profile and frontline players signed for a combined £261m who, in their mind, should be axed to ‘restore standards’.

Among them was 27-year-old Martial who the piece’s author, Samuel Luckhurst, claimed ‘can’t cut it’ at Old Trafford.

Martial hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes in the Premier League since January of 2021. Injuries have ravaged his career over recent seasons, while a loan spell with Sevilla did little to relight his fire.

With a new striker signing on the horizon, Martial is among the likeliest candidates to depart. Elsewhere, loanee Wout Weghorst is unlikely to be signed outright and has already given his blessing to joining Turkish heavyweight Besiktas.

Now, a fresh round of criticism has made its way to Martial’s door, this time from former West Ham and Scotland striker, Frank McAvennie.

When asked by Football Insider if Martial has shown enough to warrant more regular starts under Ten Hag, McAvennie simply replied: “No.

The pundit then explained why, claiming Martial does not consistently give maximum effort for his club.

McAvennie then claimed Martial’s slight upturn in form lately – a goal and an assist in his last five outings – is merely Martial putting himself in the shop window ahead of a summer move.

“I think they need an out and out striker,” continued McAvennie. “[Martial] has been doing well the last couple of games because [Marcus] Rashford has not been playing. I do not know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

“He has been playing better but it is coming to the end of the season, maybe he is playing better because he wants a move.

“He is a talented boy but you can’t play for a club like Man Utd and not put in 100 percent every week. You can’t do that.

“Martial, no matter how talented he is, has not been doing it.“

Both the MEN and talkSPORT have recently reported Martial is on the chopping block this summer.

READ MORE: Ten Hag tipped to axe senior Man Utd man who’s worse than ‘lower league’ players and recall ‘fabulous’ forgotten star