20-year-old Anthony Martial was reportedly a target of both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur before Manchester United signed him for £36 million on last summer’s deadline day. He was worth every penny and more, as Soccerex now rates Martial the most valuable U21 player alive.
He was huge for the Red Devils this past season, providing a spark plug for an offense that was quite often stuck in neutral. He even took home the Premier League Player of the Month Award for September.
Between the time that news of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s United move became public and then later official, Anthony Martial spoke about how great a fit Ibra would/will be at United. Martial probably still feels that way, but he’s reportedly upset about having to give shirt number up for Ibrahimovic.
Anthony Martial appears to have taken a swipe at Manchester United after his No. 9 jersey was taken away from him and given to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. United’s new Swedish striker then took to Instagram to say he chose the No.9.
However, Martial appeared to suggest he was unhappy with having to give up his number, as he changed his Facebook cover photo to a picture taken from behind him, showing ‘Martial 9’ emblazoned on the back of his shirt.
Martial’s handle on the social media site is also ‘@AnthonyMartialAM9’.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram