Three Manchester United players have recently shown their support for Anthony Martial following his announcement about joining a new club. Martial, who signed for United in 2015 as a young talent for a fee of £36 million, had a mixed spell at Old Trafford. Although his potential was evident, his time at the club was often disrupted by injuries, preventing him from securing a consistent starting position.
Martial’s time with Manchester United came to an end after the conclusion of the 2023/24 season when his contract expired. During his nine-year stint at the club, Martial made 317 appearances and scored 90 goals across all competitions. However, his career at the club never quite reached the heights that many had anticipated due to his recurring injury struggles and fluctuations in form.
Last week, it was reported that Martial had agreed to a deal with Greek side AEK Athens. The club offered him a lucrative contract, reportedly worth £2.5 million per year, a move that marked the next chapter in Martial’s football career. On Friday, Martial took to social media to share a photo of himself wearing the colors of his new club, captioning the post: “New Chapter. Let’s go @aekfc_official.”
In response to his post, several of Martial’s former Manchester United teammates left messages of support. Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Harry Maguire all commented, offering their best wishes as Martial embarks on his new journey. Other former United players, including Jadon Sancho, who is currently on loan at Chelsea, and Anthony Elanga, Donny van de Beek, and Odion Ighalo, also chimed in with their supportive messages.
Martial expressed his excitement about joining AEK Athens and was enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the team’s success. In a statement, he said, “I’m very happy. AEK was a great opportunity for me, and I’m eager to give my best to win trophies and bring joy to the fans.” Martial seemed motivated by the fresh start and determined to make a significant impact in his new surroundings.
Former Manchester United teammate Morgan Schneiderlin also spoke positively about Martial’s move to Greece. Schneiderlin, who previously played alongside Martial, shared his belief that AEK Athens’ style of play would suit Martial perfectly.
In an interview with Monobala, Schneiderlin said, “I believe AEK’s playing style suits him perfectly, and I expect him to have a stellar season, scoring plenty of goals. He’ll excel in AEK’s fast-paced approach and will be a valuable addition to the squad.”
Schneiderlin went on to highlight Martial’s ability to break down tight defenses, which would make him a key player for AEK Athens. He also commented on Martial’s personality, describing him as someone who may come across as reserved at first but is, in fact, a fun person who enjoys a good laugh. Schneiderlin’s confidence in Martial suggests that the forward has the potential to thrive at AEK Athens and make a significant impact during his time in Greece.
Martial’s move to AEK Athens represents a fresh start for a player who has faced several challenges during his career at Manchester United. With the support of his former teammates and a new opportunity to shine in a different league, Martial will be looking to rediscover his best form and contribute to AEK Athens’ pursuit of success.