Manchester United ‘confident’ of contract renewal for French attacker

Manchester United are reportedly confident of securing a new long-term contract for French attacker Anthony Martial. The 22-year-old presently has eight months left on his existing deal but the club have the option of prolonging his stay for another year via an extension clause written into his contract.

According to Metro, the Red Devils are said to be in advanced negotiations with the Frenchman’s representative regarding a new contract and they are confident of sealing a five-year deal for his services in the forthcoming weeks.

Martial had been a crucial contributor for United during the first half of the previous campaign but his importance lessened during the backend after winter signing Alexis Sanchez commanded a regular role on the left wing ahead of him.

As such, there had been indications that the attacker could part ways with the club during the summer transfer window but the club were adamant that he was not for sale regardless of any approach made from his European admirers.

With the new season, the attacker has not looked at the very best of his form but he has shown glimpses of his potential – most recently during the Premier League game versus Newcastle United where he scored the second goal during the club’s epic 3-2 comeback triumph.

Based on this, the hierarchy appear to have already made the mind up to reward him with a new contract and this should provide some kind of joy for the majority of the club’s supporters, who have been disappointment by the average start to the league campaign.

United have experienced one of their worst-ever starts to a Premier League season and their run sees them already seven points behind league leaders Manchester City after just eight games into a season where the expectations were seemingly high.

United manager Jose Mourinho has normally made the trend of bagging the league title with his former clubs during his second season but this has not quite clicked with the Red Devils with whom the Portuguese has already entered his third campaign.

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