Add-ons Anthony Martial failed to trigger at Manchester United

• Manchester United signed Anthony Martial for a record £58m from Monaco in 2015
• The transfer fee was split between £36m guaranteed and various add-ons
• By the time the extra clauses expired in 2019, two of the three agreed were not triggered

The arrival of Anthony Martial at Manchester United in 2015 sent shockwaves through the footballing world. The transfer was not only unexpected, but it also set a new record, making Martial the most expensive teenager globally, with a hefty price tag attached to his name. Just 11 days after the transfer, Martial made his debut for the Red Devils, donning the prestigious number nine shirt, and left an indelible mark by scoring a brilliant solo goal against Liverpool in a 3-1 victory.

As the season progressed, Martial continued to prove his worth to Manchester United. One standout moment came when he scored the stoppage-time winner that propelled the team to the 2016 FA Cup final, setting them on course for their first major trophy since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. At just 20 years old, Martial seemed to have the world at his feet, concluding the season with an impressive 17 goals across all competitions.

However, despite Martial’s promising start, criticism lingered, particularly regarding the hefty transfer fee that brought him from Monaco. Manchester United fans took pride in their young talent, often chanting about the £50 million transfer fee, even though the actual figure was slightly under £58 million, including various add-ons negotiated after the initial £36 million agreement.

Anthony Martial joined Manchester United from Monaco for a fee of £58 million which included various add-ons. | PHOTO: Sky |

The additional payments were contingent on Martial achieving specific milestones during his initial four-year contract with the club. These included reaching 25 Premier League goals, making 25 senior appearances for the French national team by the summer of 2019, and winning the Ballon d’Or in select years.

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The goalscoring clause required Martial to achieve 25 Premier League goals. Despite a promising start with 11 goals in his first season, various challenges, such as the arrivals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku, changes in the team’s dynamics, and a dip in Martial’s form, meant it took some time to reach this milestone. He eventually accomplished it in a memorable comeback against Newcastle in October 2018.

The clause related to senior appearances for France was not fulfilled, as Martial fell short of the target by the summer of 2019. Although he has accumulated 30 caps since then, he missed the deadline set in the contract. The final clause, dependent on winning the Ballon d’Or, remained unactivated due to the continued dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during the specified years.

Recognizing Martial’s potential, Manchester United extended his contract in January 2019, securing his commitment to the club for the next five and a half years. The 2019/20 season appeared to be a turning point for Martial as he notched an impressive 23 goals in all competitions. However, subsequent seasons were marred by injuries, limiting his contributions and prompting a loan move to Sevilla in January 2022, which unfortunately failed to rejuvenate his career.

While Martial showed signs of improvement with six goals in 21 Premier League games during the last season, it was clear that he had deviated from the promising trajectory that once marked him as a game-changing talent. As his contract with Manchester United approaches its conclusion, the club has indicated that they do not intend to exercise the option for an additional year. Martial himself acknowledges that it is time for him to seek new opportunities.

In conclusion, Anthony Martial’s journey at Manchester United has been marked by moments of brilliance, the weight of a record-breaking transfer fee, and the unfulfilled potential that had initially captivated fans. As the chapter at Manchester United comes to a close, Martial stands at a crossroads, ready to embark on a new phase in his footballing journey, leaving behind a legacy that includes both triumphs and unmet expectations.