Anthony Martial Is Upset Manchester United Gave Zlatan Ibrahimovic His Number
By Ty Duffy
Manchester United made French striker Anthony Martial the world’s most expensive teenager last summer, signing him for a fee that could reach $80 million with clauses. The club endowed him with the “No. 9,” the classic number for a goal-scoring center forward.
Martial had a promising first season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions. Manchester United, now managed by Jose Mourinho, rewarded him by signing Zlatan Ibahimovic for a one-year rental and, it appears, handing over his No. 9 to the Swede without telling him, leaving Martial with No. 11.
This switch is problematic for Martial. Besides the indignity of having ones needs and desires sublimated to accommodate Zlatan, he had been branding himself as “AM9” a la Cristiano Ronaldo’s “CR7.”
Per reports, Martial had taken the nuclear option and (gasp!) unfollowed Manchester United on Twitter. He then refollowed Manchester United on Twitter and Instagram. The kerfuffle has dropped the odds on Martial moving to Arsenal, who have no one designated No. 9 for next season, to 11/2.
One could see Martial falling out with Mourinho, who tends to fall out with young, flashy, offensive players who may not be as committed to their defensive responsibilities. Martial is young, French, and totally the type of player Wenger enjoys. But, Mourinho handing Wenger a talented stick with which to beat him seems insane.