If one ludicrous Anthony Martial story wasn’t enough for you, there’s a second one brewing in France, with La Gazette des Transferts claiming the player is all set to return to Ligue 1 until the end of the season.
The monthly newspaper dedicate half a page to this story, and according to their information, a deal has been agreed between Lyon and Manchester United regarding a six-month loan in January.
Martial, who has found himself in and out of the team more than he would have liked so far this season, is apparently eager to get more time on the pitch, and a return to the club that developed him before his move to Monaco has been arranged.
However, there is a problem, and it’s a big one, and that’s the fact José Mourinho doesn’t want Martial to leave.
Manchester United’s board have apparently approved the move, allowing Martial the opportunity to regain confidence and hopefully make his way back into France’s national team, which the player is desperate to do.
Lyon would also be willing to play him as a centre-forward, something Manchester United cannot do due to the presence of both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney ahead of him in the pecking order.
As for the player’s wages, which are far above what Lyon would be willing to pay someone on loan, La Gazette report Manchester United would pay a chunk of his salary for the duration of the deal.
Considering the player has played and picked up two goals and an assist over the course of the past two games, it seems Mourinho’s faith in the player is restored, and if Mourinho doesn’t want a player to leave, we can’t see Ed Woodward getting in the way of his manager.
