It is safe to say Anthony Martial has been a player reborn in Greece.
Anthony Martial being released by Manchester United in June 2024 felt well overdue. And most probably if United could have done so in 2023, they would have done so.
The 2023/24 season was a wretched injury-hit one for Martial, where he scored only two goals. He quickly surpassed that in Greece.
After a confusing summer as a free agent which saw Martial linked with clubs in France and Brazil, Martial ended up signing for AEK Athens.
With a terrible injury record, clubs were put off the Frenchman, yet he has defied his own personal history by staying fit all season at his new club.
And the goals are flying in too.
Anthony Martial leads 5-0 win
Anthony Martial’s latest performance was to lead AEK Athens to a 5-0 victory over Panserraikos. It kept his side second in the table.
Martial scored two goals, netting in each half, playing 82 minutes for his side. It was a strong all round performance, which saw him create two chances too.
He is now up to nine goals and two assists for the season, 11 goal contributions in 19 matches played.
Last season Martial played 19 games for Manchester United, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
His brace in this latest win underscored his return to form. The last time Martial scored two in a match was for Manchester United in 2022, consolation strikes as Erik ten Hag’s side were beaten 6-3 at Manchester City.
The last time Martial scored two goals in a win for his team was for Manchester United in February 2021, the 9-0 win over Southampton.
Manchester United player thrive after leaving
It is a common theme currently to see former Manchester United players thrive away from the club.
Antony has had a great start in Spain with Real Betis, while Scott McTominay has been tearing it up for Napoli. Martial is another to add to the list.
Jadon Sancho has had less success at Chelsea, and that could be down to how tough it is in the Premier League. Marcus Rashford has just begun his latest chapter on loan at Villa.
Playing at United brings a different type of pressure, and away from it, Martial is thriving.
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