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Manchester United got utterly dominated by Liverpool on Sunday but managed to take the lead in the second half before once again conceding a late equaliser to share the spoils at the end of entertaining 2-2 draw in the Premier League.
The visitors had 28 shots as compared to the hosts’ nine and were unlucky to score only twice. It was Luis Diaz who handed the Merseysiders the lead and they were utterly dominant going into half-time.
Individual brilliance from skipper Bruno Fernandes and academy genius Kobbie Mainoo handed an unlikely lead to the 20-time English league champions before Mohamed Salah equalised from the spot.
Rasmus Hojlund hardly got a sniff and after a period where he scored in six consecutive games, the Dane has looked off-colour in his last four appearances.
Striker woes up front
It has hardly helped that last season’s top scorer Marcus Rashford has looked a shadow of his former self and this is why Erik ten Hag asked for further reinforcements last summer.
Following news of Anthony Martial’s impending surgery, the manager asked again in January but FFP concerns meant nothing was forthcoming.
The Frenchman has barely been of any help this campaign, starting only seven games and missing 19 games through injury with Ten Hag even claiming it was up to the former Monaco star whether he wanted to play this season.
It seems unlikely and the France international’s nine-year stay in Manchester is set to end in June once his deal gets over with the club not offering him an extension.
The Peoples Person recently relayed that Inter Milan were considering a move for the soon-to-be free agent while Saudi Arabian clubs were also said to be seeking his signature.
Now as per Football Transfers, Nerazzurri’s list of targets does include the United No 9 but he is not top of that list while the player would prefer remaining in Europe unless a hard to refuse offer from the Middle-East was to pop up.
Olympique Lyon have already rejected a chance to sign him and his future could be in limbo with not too many clubs keen on his humongous current wages of £250,000 per week while his injury record does not fill anyone with confidence.
“Anthony Martial is likely to reject a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer with it believed that the Manchester United attacker will opt for a switch to Italy or France, FootballTransfers can reveal.
Martial’s future in a limbo
“He is thought to be liked by Inter but also not a major target for the Serie A club. It’s believed that he is not open to a move to the Pro League – though there is a feeling that could change if a sizeable pay packet was forthcoming.”
It is set to be a poor ending to a United career that promised so much but fizzled out due to niggling injuries and the player’s own lack of motivation.
When on fire, he had the whole of Old Trafford singing his name but on off-days, he was often seen lazily sauntering across the pitch hardly making an effort.
There were question marks raised when he was offered his previous contract extension as well and it seems INEOS will not carry forward the previous regime’s mistakes.
They are prepared to let the player leave on a free and make space in the wage bill. United are expected to sign a striker next summer to offset the loss of the mercurial 28-year-old.
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