Manchester United’s Anthony Martial running out of time to turn his career around

Monaco were so sure Anthony Martial was destined for the top that when they allowed the 19-year-old striker to join Manchester United for an initial €49 million in 2015, they included a clause guaranteeing an extra payment of €10m if he made the Ballon d’Or shortlist. Six-and-a-half years later, however, Martial has been frozen out at Old Trafford as he has made it public that he wants to leave in the January transfer window. His promise remains unfilled, and that Ballon d’Or bonus remains unpaid.

It has reached the point that, when he was left out of the squad for the 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Monday night, nobody bothered to ask why. The MUTV presenter who quizzed interim manager Ralf Rangnick ahead of kick-off was more interested in the whereabouts of defender Phil Jones, who has played once in the past two years.

On Saturday, Martial was left out for a repeat trip to Villa, this time in the Premier League. Rangnick said it was because Martial didn’t want to be part of the squad, which Martial emphatically disputed. “I will never refuse to play for Man United,” he wrote on social media. In another news conference on Tuesday, Rangnick said that after clear-the-air talks between the two, the matter was now resolved, and he didn’t rule out offering Martial another chance. He has already burned through plenty during his time at Old Trafford.

It had all started so well for Martial at United, as he came off the bench to make his debut against Liverpool and scored in front of the Stretford End. Alongside a last-minute Wembley winner against Everton in the FA Cup semifinal later the same season, it remains one of only a handful of highlights from an otherwise underwhelming Manchester United career.

And yet, still only 26, there’s a nagging feeling there’s an untapped player in there somewhere. Sources have told ESPN that United have not ruled out letting Martial leave this month, but there remains…