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Anthony Martial started the 2017-18 campaign on a high note and it looked like he was finally going to be the player everyone expected him to become. But a dip in form coupled with the arrival of Alexis Sanchez has greatly reduced Martial's playing time and several rumours have surfaced over the past couple of weeks linking him with a move away from United.
However, in order to get more playing time, Anthony Martial might have to leave to a smaller club as he is not a finished product just yet. His debut season at Old Trafford was mighty impressive and that's how Martial announced himself to the world.
There are still a lot of things for Martial to be achieved at Manchester United and let's take a look at the 3 reasons why he should stay put at Manchester United.
#3 A little patience will go a long way
Currently, Anthony Martial does not see a whole lot of playing time at Manchester United. That is due to the presence of Alexis Sanchez and Marcus Rashford in the team. All 3 of them operate on the left flank and even though each one of them has undeniable quality there's only room for one in the team.
Given his experience, ability and efficiency, Sanchez gets the nod ahead of Martial and Rashford more often than not. But the point to note here is that Alexis Sanchez is 29 years old. Martial is only 22. Sanchez probably has a maximum of 2 more good seasons in him after which he will inevitably fade.
Anthony Martial, meanwhile, could stay at an improving Manchester United side and learn from the very best and could even go on to win trophies. The world puts too much pressure on the youngsters and they are in a constant quest to prove themselves to the world. That is perhaps the reason why Martial believes he could be doing better.
He could be, let's concede it. But in a couple of years, Martial will be a settled Manchester United's main man. And that is a very promising prospect for a 22-year-old.
#2 The competition will make him a better player
Anthony Martial now finds himself in a spot where he has to consistently push himself to stake a claim in the starting XI week in and week out. While actual minutes on the pitch go a long way towards the development of a youngster, intense competition on the training ground will most definitely make him a better player.
Marcus Rashford wasn't even the best striker in the youth team when he broke into Manchester United's first team. But since getting there, he has improved immensely and that's because he had Zlatan Ibrahimovic to groom him.
Martial could do the same with Alexis Sanchez to improve himself. Sanchez's doggedness and sheer will to win the ball back are traits that the Frenchman could most definitely imbibe.
He could just ship off to a club where he can fit into comfortably and do what he does but at the end of the day, wouldn't he become a better player if he stays at United and learns from the best?
#1 Martial is a strong fan-favourite
In LvG's last season as manager, Manchester United played some garden-variety football that even fans had got bored stiff. In that season, Anthony Martial was like a whiff of fresh air. His directness and ability to beat defenders for fun was the best thing that happened to Manchester United that season.
He was instrumental in United winning the FA Cup and the fans absolutely adore him. Even when he had a difficult season in 2016-17, the fans always backed him and the noise levels went through the roof everytime he made an appearance.
United fans are desperate to watch Martial become the player he has shown the promise of becoming and they would be heartbroken to see him leave without fulfilling his potential. As for Martial, it will be difficult for him to win such a huge fanbase over anywhere in the world and will definitely miss it if he takes off to a different club.
As a player, when you can't seem to get going on the toughest day, it's the voice of the supporters that lends you that extra strength to push on and Martial will have no trouble finding that kind of love that young players need with the Old Trafford faithful.
