Unlike Manchester United’s entire attack, Mason Greenwood is scoring goals this season, and Anthony Martial’s future appears to be gloomy in particular.
As Anthony Martial’s Manchester United contract is about to expire and there appears to be little chance of an extension, his future at the club is seriously in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag is rumored to be searching for a new striker, and Mason Greenwood has found his scoring form again at Getafe.
Martial’s time at United is coming to an end; in 14 games this season, he has scored only once and has made minimal contributions off the bench.
It would be a fitting end to his nine years at Old Trafford, filled with disappointment at not living up to the potential he expressed as a blooming youngster in 2015.
Ten Hag is prepared to initiate one-year contract extensions for Hannibal Mejbri, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Victor Lindelof, but there is no guarantee Martial will be treated similarly.
It has spurred rumors of a new striker during the January transfer window, most likely a temporary solution that United fans have been happy to welcome over the past ten years.
Ten Hag is reportedly keeping an eye on Gabriel Barbosa of Flamengo, Wissam Ben Yedder of AS Monaco, and Mehdi Taremi of FC Porto.
However, some fans wonder if Greenwood’s season-long loan in Spain will lead to his reintroduction into the team given United’s offensive problems.
The 22-year-old has three goals in his previous four outings and scored twice in Getafe’s 12-0 Copa del Rey victory over Tardienta last week.
Greenwood’s contract at United runs until 2025, with an additional year option. The club will need to decide on his future next summer, probably under a new sporting hierarchy.
By then, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos should be in charge of the team’s football operations, and there’s always a chance that they will reverse chief executive Richard Arnold’s first U-turn.
GiveMeSport, however, claims that Greenwood’s future is sealed and that he will never again play for United due to the overwhelming negative response to his purportedly scheduled return this season.
Rasmus Hojlund’s early lack of playing time for United fuels Ten Hag’s hunt for offensive reinforcements.
After eight Premier League games, the 20-year-old Dane is still without a goal; his three goals have all come in the Champions League.
However, the whole United front line has been playing badly. In 11 league games this season, Ten Hag’s strikers have managed just one goal, Marcus Rashford’s against Arsenal.
In an effort to spread that goal-scoring load, another Wout Weghorst-style addition may be in the works. However, it is unlikely that Greenwood will be needed again.