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Manchester United must hang on to Martial amidst Barca, Arsenal interest

By Paul Anderson

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Anthony Martial of Manchester United scores his sides second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League group A match between CSKA Moskva and Manchester United at WEB Arena on September 27, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Anthony Martial of Manchester United scores his sides second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League group A match between CSKA Moskva and Manchester United at WEB Arena on September 27, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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Fresh off winning Manchester United’s Player of the Month for September, Anthony Martial has made a great start to the year as he already has five goals and six assists. These performances haven’t gone unnoticed as the 21-year old has drawn the attention of Barcelona and Arsenal.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Anthony Martial of Manchester United attempts to get past Joel Ward of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on September 30, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Anthony Martial of Manchester United attempts to get past Joel Ward of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on September 30, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

The Mail reports that Barcelona will be looking to strengthen their attack with the departure of Neymar, and Ousmane Dembele’s absence through injury for the forseeable future.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are looking for their next Thierry Henry, and with Arsene Wenger set to lose Alexis Sanchez after this season, he sees Martial as the perfect replacement, according to The Guardian.

"“Anthony Martial is a far better player than I was at that age.” – Thierry Henry"

Both teams need attacking options, however, snatching Martial away from one of their largest rivals won’t be easy for Arsenal.

On the other hand, Barcelona aren’t lacking for money, and it is hard for any player to pass up the opportunity to play with Leo Messi.

But Manchester United must hang on to Martial.

They must.

Sure, he didn’t have the best of season’s last year, but the 21-year old is in the form of his life. And despite not having a spot locked down in the starting  XI, he is a crucial member of the teams future success.

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If Barcelona believe that Martial is good enough to start for them, he is good enough to stay at United.

His fierce competition for the left-wing spot with Marcus Rashford has caused both players to find new levels at which they can play, with both continuing to impress.

However, in the near future, both players should be spearheading United’s attack along with Romelu Lukaku.

Real Madrid have Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Barca had Messi, Suarez, and Neymar. United could host one of the most lethal attacking tridents in football in a few short years as Lukaku, Rashford, and Martial all begin to reach their primes.

The allure of Barcelona is real — we’ve seen even Arsenal’s Henry leave for the Camp Nou.

Next: Anthony Martial: Manchester United’s Player of the Month September

Growing up, Martial idolized Henry. He wanted to follow in his footsteps. But Manchester United must ensure that this is where Martial does not continue down the same path as Henry. He’s just 21-years old, but he has a huge part to play in the rebirth of Manchester United.

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