Anthony Martial’s next Manchester United goal will reportedly cost the club another €10million, if leaked details of the deal to bring him to Old Trafford were accurate.
The Frenchman joined the Red Devils in 2015 from Monaco in a deal worth an initial €50million , and scored his 24th goal for them in the victory over Watford this week. However, should he score another, United will be liable to pay the Ligue 1 side another hefty sum as part of the deal.
Details of the Martial’s move to Man United were supposedly leaked a year ago, revealing the clause that now hovers over United’s heads, as well as similar ones covering international caps and nomination for the Ballon d’Or.
Martial has been a peripheral figure at times under new boss Jose Mourinho, but last week denied that he had any intention to quit the club in search of a bigger role elsewhere.
Against Watford Martial was back on the left flank over Marcus Rashford. Martial showed plenty of flashes of the brilliance of which he is fully capable, though also some hints of a lack of confidence.
A first-half fresh-air shot had Old Trafford gasping in agony, and coming off the flank on to his right foot, he initially looked a little predictable for former United trainee Craig Cathcart on the left side of Watford’s defence.
While Mata and Mkhitaryan buzzed around, Martial was pegged to his flank, yet United were glad for an old-fashioned winger’s contribution on Mata’s opener. After Martial’s ball from the byline led to Mata’s goal, Mata made a point of celebrating with his supplier.
Martial thereafter played with far greater confidence and blazed away from Cathcart to screw his shot wide in the opening seconds of the second half.
And then Martial cooled nerves. He cut inside and kept calm to score, a goal that was reminiscent of the strikes that made his reputation last season at United.
A player in whom Mourinho has expressed public doubt proved his point and left the field in the 81st minute to a standing ovation. Mourinho offered what looked like sincere appreciation as the man of the match made his way to the bench.