Manchester United have no plans to activate the option to extend Anthony Martial’s contract when it expires in the summer, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.
The Red Devils handed the 28-year-old a new five-year deal in 2019, with an option to hand him a 12-month contract afterwards included in it.
However, Martial has clearly not impressed Man United manager Erik ten Hag and the club is ready to let him leave as a free agent when the 2023-24 campaign ends in June.
The Old Trafford club have been inserting and triggering such clauses for most players, but they decided against doing so in the case of David De Gea at the end of last season, and they plan to take a similar approach in regard to Martial.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal Mejbri are also in a similar situation, but talks are ongoing regarding what to do with the trio ahead of next summer.
Martial has bagged two goals and an assist in 19 games across all competitions this term and has failed to live up to the billing despite the hype surrounding his arrival in 2015.
The former AS Monaco star has tallied 90 goals and 55 assists in 317 appearances for Man United, with the 2019-20 campaign when he notched 23 goals and 12 assists still his best-ever season for the club.
Martial currently earns £250,000 per week at the Theatre of Dreams, and there is absolutely no reason why his contract should be extended.
The January transfer window represents their last chance to get something from suitors for his services, but most of them would prefer to wait until the summer when they can sign him for free.
Ten Hag needs a major squad overhaul if his side are to start challenging for the Premier League and Champions League anytime soon, and more players are expected to join the Frenchman in leaving over the next two transfer windows.
