Anthony Martial's contract offer shows where power lies at Manchester United
The 22-year-old forward has been offered a new five-year contract at Manchester United, almost doubling his basic wage to £130,000 a week, despite being a peripheral player and making it clear that he wants to leave. Earlier this year, the popular Martial told teammates in private that he wanted out, while his agent announced it publicly.
Fans, who had long supported the French international, were divided. They had mocked in song the "English press" who said Martial had "no chance" after he arrived from Monaco for £36 million in 2015, yet his recent form suggested the naysayers actually had a point.
Martial and Jose Mourinho could have a better relationship. The United manager fined the player two weeks wages because Martial did not keep in touch with the club following the birth of his second child in July, for which he left a preseason tour in the U.S. to attend. He felt slighted by the fine.
Aside from that, Martial wants to play more and feels that he has been singled out for making mistakes, which are more inclined to happen when a big part of your job to beat opponents. Mourinho winces on the sideline when Martial loses possession and feels that his attitude could be better.
Although he has only played in one game this season -- the forgettable 3-2 defeat at Brighton -- five years from now Martial will be 27 and, in theory, at his peak. Meanwhile, there are plenty who don't think Mourinho will be at the club in five months, let alone years.
The offer of a new deal, in addition to Martial's current contract, which could last until 2020 if United activate a 12-month option -- they usually do in such scenarios -- shows who has the power at Old Trafford: Ed Woodward. The executive vice-chairman has vetoed any sale, though there was hardly a queue of suitors during the summer.
The nature of players leaving -- or trying to leave -- is shifting. If Sir Alex Ferguson was not happy with someone then his attitude was "nobody is bigger than the club." Because of that, greats like David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane departed United.
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