Manchester United are reportedly finding it hard to offload both Anthony Martial and Eric Bailly this summer according to Neil Custis of The Sun. Martial, 26 has two more years left at United with Bailly, 28, also having two years plus the option of a third.
Martial was loaned to Sevilla back in January where he continued to flop despite Martial FC continually branding him as a top player in Europe. He managed just one goal and one assist in 12 appearances, ending the season out of the squad due to injury.
Bailly remained at United this season, after signing a new contract in April 2021, earning just seven appearances in all competitions with no goals or assists. It has been a remarkable fall from grace for the duo and keeping them at the club could be costly.
Martial is reportedly on £240,000 per week, which will be a major stumbling block for an interested club as there are not many who would pay that sum of money on a weekly basis for a player so far away from good form – with a poor attitude to boot. Just £20 million could secure the Frenchman.
It could be that United may have to tempt the player with a pay off to leave the club, meaning it will be costly to United to get rid of a player that does not really deserve anything other than what he has got. He started off great at the club seven years ago too.
Martial will return to preseason training next week where Erik ten Hag will get the measure of him, which could be a good thing. But if Martial fails to put in the effort or show a good attitude, I am sure he will be shown the door whether the club wants to do that or not.
Bailly has found himself on the sidelines through injury for about half of his United career, which goes back to the summer of 2016 when he became Jose Mourinho’s first signing that summer. That will not look good to any potential suitor seeking to sign a player that will strengthen them.
It is suggested that a fee of £8.5 million could allow Bailly to leave the Old Trafford club this summer, but United have been abhorrent at getting rid of players that they do not want – in the past offering them new contracts – as was the case with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
If both players are able to leave this summer, United would make losses on the fees paid for the players but that would be expected. Martial has made 269 appearances, scoring 79 goals and 50 assists whilst Bailly has made just 113 appearances, scoring one goal and one assist.
Written by John Walker
