Just a day after Manchester United forwards had the time of their lives in a 7-0 win vs Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, former United striker Anthony Martial is starting a new journey.
Anthony Martial has been a free agent since United chose not to extend his hefty contract at the end of last season.
Plagued by injury worries and inconsistency, he never really hit the heights expected of him when he broke through with his debut goal vs Liverpool.
The descent kept happening with glimpses of potential showing in between and that fall is most noticeable with his new club.
Martial is headed to Greece to play for AEK Athens, with no agreement struck with any traditional elite club.
At least he will be greatly appreciated by his new club if starting signs are any indication, as he already has a new nickname!
Anthony Martial at AEK Athens
Due to his injury history, it was always going to be difficult for him to find a new club unless he drastically lowered either his demands or settled his expectations from the squad.
That realisation has led him to AEK Athens, a club far removed from European royalty but still big enough to be a domestic powerhouse.
He will be reunited with Facundo Pellistri in the country, who joined Panathinaikos this summer.
Pellistri has been enjoying his time at the Greek club, while other ex-Man United players, like Jesse Lingard, are happy after taking a step down in favour of feeling more important.
Early signs indicate Martial could feel the same after AEK Athens have already given him a new nickname while announcing his arrival.
In an Instagram post announcing his landing in Greece, AEK Athens called him “The Wizard”, with the caption reading- “The Wizard is coming!!! Meeting at the airport!!! Arrival: Anthony Martial. Time: 20.40. Location: El Venizelos airport. Meeting point: Exit 7.”
Fans of the club were quite excited at the announcement and at the time of writing, were full of praise for the Frenchman in the comments.
Apt nickname but consistency the problem
AEK Athens’ nickname for Martial is apt, since, on his day, his dribbles and slick finishing are enough to leave the opponent in a daze.
Over time, as injuries sapped his strength and explosiveness, he looked like a shell of the player who broke through at Old Trafford.
The hope will be that in a slower league, Martial will be able to display his qualities that once prompted the club to insert a Ballon d’Or clause in his move.
After all, he is still just 28, an age where a striker should theoretically be in his prime years, banging goals for an elite team in the Champions League.
For Martial, however, his career at the top level has taken a different trajectory. A great spell at Athens could yet mean a fairytale ending but for now, he’ll be happy that he’s already the new “Wizard” in Greece.
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