Jose has 2020 Martial vision
FRENCHMAN TO GET DEAL EXTENSION... HE’LL LEAD LINE AS SEASON STARTS
MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to trigger Anthony Martial’s contract extension clause – keeping him at the club until 2020.
Martial looked to be heading out of United this summer after his agent revealed the striker’s disillusionment under Jose Mourinho.
The forward, signed from Monaco for £36million in 2015, missed out on a place in France’s World Cupwinning squad because of a lack of game-time under Mourinho last season.
That led to a growing belief that Martial would be on his way out the door this summer, with Juventus and Tottenham having expressed interest in signing the 22-year-old.
But United are understood to have no intention of offloading him, with Ed Woodward, Old Trafford’s executive vice-chairman, ready to trigger the extension.
Martial will lead United’s attack at the start of the new season, with Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford on extended breaks following the World Cup.
And United pal Ander Herrera believes Martial, who impressed in United’s 1-1 draw with Club America on the opening game of their US tour in Phoenix, has the ability to become one of the world’s elite players.
Herrera said: “He’s very talented. He can be one of the best players in the world and I think he’s very, very focused this season to smash it.
“When you have players like Anthony, like Rashford, Jesse [Lingard], Juan [Mata], Alexis [Sanchez], those kind of players that can change the game. If one of them can’t play, we have three or four more, so we have lots of options. “We shouldn’t think that any other club in the Premier League has better players than us. “Now it’s all about work, confidence, and [Martial] keeping on playing like he did in the game against Club America.
“I’m confident for us because they’re all amazing players and Anthony looks very sharp.”
Herrera’s team-mate and Spanish compatriot Juan Mata endorsed recent high praise of the club’s youngsters, with Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, Joel Pereira, Axel Tuanzebe, Tim Fosu-Mensah, Scott McTominay, Demi Mitchell, Andreas Pereira and Mason Greenwood, 16, all involved in the 1-1 draw with Club America in Phoenix.
The youngsters are also likely to feature in tonight’s second game of the US tour, against MLS side San Jose Earthquakes at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Mata said: “It’s very good news for the club and especially the Academy that we have so many kids playing with us.
“I think they’re having a great experience by training with us and the manager, seeing what Manchester United represents round the world.
“I think the future is definitely bright for the club with these Academy players.”