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Anthony Martial’s Manchester United career is going nowhere at the moment. The Frenchman was superb in his debut season for Manchester United but has eventually lost his place to Marcus Rashford.
Also, the resurgence of Jesse Lingard worked against him and the arrival of Alexis Sanchez did not do any good either. He was never given a longer run in the first team by Jose Mourinho this season.
Martial’s current United deal runs until the summer of 2019 and according to various sources from France, he has refused to extend the deal because of his lack of playing time.
A number of top clubs are said to be interested in the 22-year-old and a summer move away from United is on the cards, unless his situation at Manchester United improves in the next few weeks.
On that note, let’s take a look at the players who could replace the Frenchman at Manchester United.
#5 Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic is one of the best young footballers in the world right now. At just 19, Pulisic has become the star of American football.
He has already made 86 appearances for Borussia Dortmund and is yet to turn 20. He was a constant presence in the Dortmund lineup this season, after the departure of Ousmane Dembele to Barcelona.
The 19-year-old has attempted 209 dribbles this season and has a pass accuracy of 81%. Pulisic is a versatile forward, regarded for his speed, dribbling, quick feet, and vision.
Though he might not walk in the Manchester United starting eleven right away, he has all the potential to be a star for the club in the future.
#4 Thomas Lemar
Thomas Lemar was a star of the show for Monaco in their title-winning 2016/17 campaign. He also played a stellar role in their qualification to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. He was a subject of £92 million deadline day bid from Arsenal last summer.
Though his performances deteriorated a bit this season, he was phenomenal for Monaco last campaign.
He scored 11 goals and assisted 14 more last season, compared to the two goals and seven assists this campaign.
Lemar is a versatile midfielder, known for his passing, vision, and dribbling. He is brilliant in set pieces and can make beautiful crosses into the box.
Mourinho failed in his pursuit of a wide player last summer and Thomas Lemar could fit the bill perfectly at Old Trafford.
#3 Willian
Willian is one of Mourinho’s most trusted players during their Chelsea days. His current contract at Chelsea runs until 2020 and Mourinho is desperate to bring the Brazilian to Old Trafford.
He was the shining light for Antonio Conte in an otherwise disappointing 2017/18 campaign for Chelsea.
In his last 14 competitive starts for Chelsea, the Brazilian has scored nine goals and assisted five more.
He was superb for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 games against Chelsea.
The 29-year-old is a typical Brazilian talent, known for his attacking flair, quick feet, pace, dribbles, feints, and tricks. He is brilliant in set pieces and very effective from the wide areas.
He may not be as young as Martial, but with his experience and skills, Willian could add an altogether new dimension to Manchester United’s attacking play.
#2 Gareth Bale
Manchester United’s admiration for Gareth Bale is no secret. Manchester United has long been linked with a move for the Welshman and has so far failed in their attempts to lure the winger back to the Premier League.
On his day, the 28-year-old can destroy any defence single-handedly. Bale is one of the fastest players in the world, regarded for his ability to beat defenders one on one, acceleration, strength, and accurate delivery into the box.
He is a brilliant finisher and also a free-kick expert.
He has scored 12 goals and assisted four in 19 starts for Real Madrid this season. Mourinho’s Manchester United lack pace and quality in the wide areas and Bale will exactly bring that to Old Trafford.
#1 Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann is one of the best-attacking players in the world right now. He was close to joining United last summer but the move collapsed at the last minute because of Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban.
The Frenchman was a consistent performer in La Liga for quite some time and even finished third in the Ballon d’Or rankings for 2016.
The Atletico Madrid star has scored 78 goals and assisted 22 more in his last four La Liga campaigns. He also led them to the finals of UEFA Champions League in 2014 and 2016.
Griezmann is a technically gifted player, known for his vision, creativity, and finishing. He is a versatile forward who can play anywhere across the front line.
His work rate and energy are simply phenomenal. He could be a great signing for Manchester United.
