Man Utd to resist any attempt from Spurs to sign Anthony Martial
Manchester United are determined to resist any attempt by Tottenham Hotspur to sign Anthony Martial before the close of the summer transfer window, even though the striker is still tempted to leave Old Trafford.
Martial has had a difficult relationship with United manager Jose Mourinho, spent much of last season out of the first team and looked miserable at the end of last season.
He started just 18 games in the Premier League last season and infuriated his boss with a series of insipid displays when he was given a chance to re-establish himself in the team towards the end of the campaign.
That had prompted speculation that he would be sold this summer, but the Red Devils do not want to lose him and are set to take up the option of extending his contract for another 12 months.
As things stand, Martial only has one year left on his current deal, but United sensibly negotiated a clause that would allow them to add another year if they wanted to when they signed him back in 2015.
Premier League summer transfer window ins and outs
Tottenham have been typically slow to get moving in the transfer market this summer, but with just three weeks remaining until the window closes, Martial is one of their long-standing targets and is thought to be keen on the move to London.
Mauricio Pochettino believes he can revive the Frenchman’s career in London and Tottenham are likely to test Mourinho’s desire to hold on to a player he has had cause to chastise publicly in the past, particularly when his agent claimed he should leave Manchester because of the Portuguese.
A bid of more than £60m from Spurs would make things interesting, although Telegraph Sport understands the United hierarchy are not ready to give up on Martial and want to give him another season under Mourinho to see whether he can reignite his career.
Although the 22-year old exploded on to the Premier League scene following a £36m (which could rise to as much as £57.6m if various performance related clauses are activated) move from Monaco three years ago, he has not progressed as hoped.
Martial’s poor form at club level and his failure to develop his game in England, meant he was also dropped from the France squad which won the World Cup in Russia earlier this month.
Even though he is still in his formative years, Martial has been overtaken by younger rivals in France, not least Kylian Mbappé, who starred for his country at the World Cup and is three years younger.
However, Ander Herrera believes he has seen a different Martial since the players returned to training earlier this month.
“He's very talented,” said Herrera. “He can be one of the best players in the world and I think he is very, very focused this season to smash it.
Man Utd number sevens
“When you have players like Anthony, like [Marcus] Rashford, Jesse [Lingard], Juan [Mata], Alexis [Sanchez], those kind of players that can change the game, if one of them cannot play, we have three or four more so we have lots of options.
“I think we shouldn't think that any other club in the Premier League has better players because at least we have as good as the opponents.
“Now it's all about work, confidence, about keep playing like he did today. I am confident with them because they are all amazing players and Anthony looks very sharp.”
Meanwhile, another United youngster, Demetri Mitchell, has admitted he could be sent out on loan again this season despite starting in United’s opening pre-season friendly against Club America last week.
The 21-year-old, who has mainly played as a full back, was deployed as winger against the Mexican side in Phoenix, after returning from a successful loan spell in Scotland with Hearts.
“I’m just here to impress on tour and see what arises,” said Mitchell. “It’s all up to the manager, whether he wants me to go out on loan or stay here this season.
“I’m just looking to impress as much as I can out here, whether it’s left wing or left back and show what I can do. I’ve had a really good six months at Hearts.”
