Anthony Martial has already voiced his opinion of how Cristiano Ronaldo impacts Manchester United’s dressing room

Add as preferred source on Google

Anthony Martial has enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in pre-season, scoring three goals in four starts for the Red Devils.

Martial is embracing his surprise role as Manchester United’s lead striker, with Cristiano Ronaldo absent from pre-season tour.

Ronaldo did return to Carrington on Tuesday, with The Mail reporting the striker sat in on a team debrief led by manager Erik ten Hag.

The number 7’s future remains unclear, but there is a question over how he may reintegrate to the squad after his time off. It’s also crucial to consider how Anthony Martial may be impacted by his return, considering how he has floundered in the face competition before.

READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23

Martial has already voiced his opinion

The good news for United is that Anthony Martial regards Cristiano Ronaldo highly, and spoke up to defend him earlier this year.

Martial was quizzed about Ronaldo during his time at Sevilla, and explained that Ronaldo is a positive influence behind the scenes.

Martial was quoted by The Mail: “Cristiano is a top professional, one of the best in the history of the game. We all love him.

“There are things that are said in the media that are not true. I was in that dressing room and I know what happened.” 

Martial’s words dismissed claims of a dressing room split surrounding the striker and insisted the United players were supportive of him.

While there may be a different dynamic at play now after he missed the pre-season tour, Ronaldo has key allies in the United dressing room.

Portuguese teammates Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes have both spoken up to express support for Ronaldo ovre the past week, and would play a key role in welcoming him back into the fold.

Whether Ronaldo is prepared to accept his fate with United telling him he must stay, via The Telegraph, remains to be seen.

If he does, the drama will be created in the media, no doubt looking to stir up stories of how Ronaldo is disrupting the harmony Erik ten Hag is looking to put in place.

Martial’s words should remind us all to be wary of any reports claiming Ronaldo is having a negative impact. The players are likely to welcome him back, and if strike rival Martial can, then so should everybody else.