Liverpool legend John Barnes believes it’s ‘time’ for Anthony Martial to leave after losing his place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting lineup.
Martial was handed his old no.9 shirt in 2019 and he had his best scoring season last term, netting 23 times in 48 games for United as a centre forward.
However, the-24-year-old’s form has dropped this season since Edinson Cavani’s arrival on a free transfer and he is no longer a starter at the club.
Martial’s scored only seven goals in 33 games and he was not selected to start in the draw against Chelsea on Sunday.
Barnes believes Martial’s failure to find a position in the team has left him surplus to requirements at United and that it would benefit all parties if he leaves this summer.
‘Anthony Martial has never been a centre forward, despite Manchester United playing him there – if he can’t get a place in the starting team in his preferred wide position, following the emergence of Mason Greenwood, then maybe it is time for him to leave Manchester United,’ said Barnes.
‘Lots of clubs nowadays have benches full of superstar players, who are happy to be there, but I don’t know if Martial is one of those players, or what Manchester United’s intentions are with him.
‘I would suggest a change could be good for both him and the club if they aren’t getting what they want from him playing there.’
Martial failed to make United’s squad against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, having featured for around 20 minutes from the bench at Stamford Bridge.
