Gabby Agbonlahor believes there could be an ulterior motive behind Erik ten Hag’s decision to banish Anthony Martial from first-team training.
Erik ten Hag has reportedly taken the decision to banish Anthony Martial from first-team training for Manchester United due to the Frenchman’s struggles with injury and illness.
Martial has been in and out of the United team this season but his injury problems, which has been an issue in the Frenchman’s career for the past couple of seasons and a move away from the club is surely on the cards for the former AS Monaco forward.
With Rasmus Hojlund brought in during the summer, Martial’s game time at the club has been limited this campaign and has made just 19 appearances, featuring in 629 minutes of football.
Agbonlahor on Martial
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes there is an ulterior motive from Ten Hag in his decision to exile the striker.
“It’s probably because Martial doesn’t want to leave,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT. “Maybe a chance to leave has been offered and he hasn’t so he’s [Ten Hag] banished him like he did to Jadon Sancho.
“Should Martial still be at Manchester United? No he shouldn’t. He doesn’t put enough effort in but don’t put him on his own. I don’t like the training on your own though, I don’t like that.
“If it was a normal player, you train with the team and do extra with a fitness coach after training. He’s obviously been banished for a reason and Ten Hag’s done it again.”
It’s not the first time that Ten Hag has banished a player from the first team setup with Jadon Sancho, who recently completed a loan move to Borussia Dortmund, was absent from the first team for three months due to a falling out with the Dutchman.
Ten Hag’s strict discipline
The Dutchman was brought into the club, not just because of his style of play whilst at Ajax, but also his strict temperament with his players and exacting standards.
However, these standards have rubbed a few people the wrong way. Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t agree with it, neither did Sancho and it now seems Martial is the latest on the chopping block.
The danger of doing this is the current players can become disillusioned with this, particularly when results on the pitch are not going swimmingly for the Dutchman.
He needs to be careful that he doesn’t alienate the United squad.
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