Nearly a decade on, two former Manchester United forwards could find themselves going head-to-head nearly 6,000 miles away from Old Trafford. While Raphael Varane could not turn down the ambitious project and the picturesque surroundings of Como, while Donny van de Beek opted for Champions League football at Girona, another of this summer’s high-profile departures is yet to find employment away from England’s north west.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
It is free months since Anthony Martial left Manchester United as a free-agent.
He’s been linked with clubs in Turkey and Italy, he has turned down a fresh start in the Premier League per Fabrizio Romano, and was most recently the subject of a very public snubbing from Lille.
“Contacts with Martial? No. Absolutely none,” Lille president Olivier Letang told DAZN a few days ago. “I’m not in the habit of stockpiling players. We have Jonathan David, Mohamed Bayo, and Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
“That’s already three solutions for one position.”
Manchester United released Anthony Martial in the summer
So, what next for a striker who was once so highly regarded that Man United were compelled to include a Ballon D’Or clause in his contract?
With his 29th birthday only months away, Martial should be a centre-forward at the peak of his powers. A relentless and cruel series of injuries have put pay to that, however.
As such, the prospect of Martial arriving to replace another injury-hit number nine feels somewhat ironic.
But an infamous fitness record has not put off Flamengo. After losing talismanic goalscorer Pedro to an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, the Rio-based giants in talks to take Martial to Brazilian football.
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In an era where Turkey, China, Russia, the Middle East and America have all had their turns as the premiere destination for ageing footballers in search of a fresh start and a decent pay day, could 2024 be the year of Brazil?
While lacking the financial muscle of Saudi Arabia or the peak era of the Chinese Super League, Brazil’s ‘home of football’ reputation will appeal to those with a more romantic streak.
Memphis Depay nearing Corinthians switch
Martial is not the only former Man United attacker seemingly on his way across the Atlantic either.
UOL report that Memphis Depay – a free-agent himself after leaving Atletico Madrid during the European Championships – is set to join Corinthians on a £100,000-a-week deal. The talisman of the modern Dutch national team, Depay has allegedly even turned down an offer from an unnamed La Liga club in favour of a starring role in Sao Paulo.
As such, Depay and Martial could find themselves renewing acquaintances over the coming months.
They were team-mates at Manchester United back in 2015/16. Arriving within weeks of each other for a combined £67 million, Depay donned the famous number seven shirt under Louis van Gaal while Martial wore nine.
And it feels rather fitting that two players who were placed in the same boat by Van Gaal when setting out on their footballing journeys – highly-talented but very raw attackers who needed the patience of the United fanbase – could find themselves reunited on the final stretch of a long and winding path.
“(Martial’s) impression was good. I can only say it’s good but it’s the same for Memphis,” Van Gaal told BeIN Sports back in 2015, Martial flying out of the blocks with a sublime debut goal against Liverpool.
“You have to give them time and that’s what I am asking of the fans as well.”
Now, due to arrive in South America amid lofty expectations and a sizeable pay-packet, patience will be in short supply for Martial and Depay in their new homes.
