Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick is open to rebuilding his strained relationship with Anthony Martial, according to ESPN.
Following Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa, the Reds’ German coach claimed that the Frenchman didn’t want to travel to the Midlands and that’s why he didn’t form part of the matchday squad.
But the French international hit back at Rangnick and posted a story on his Instagram account claiming he would never refuse to play for Manchester United.
The 63-year-old is willing to build bridges with United’s number nine because the striker could yet remain at the club beyond the January transfer window.
ESPN claim that Rangnick and Martial have already held “clear the air talks”, and the report states that Rangnick has insisted he did not say Martial refused to travel, only that he did not feel he could play and that the situation is a case of “crossed wires” rather than an irreparable rift between the pair.
The 26-year-old told Rangnick he wished to leave the club last month, but United want any potential suitors to cover Martial’s £240,000 per week wages and pay a loan fee.
The former Monaco man hasn’t featured since the interim boss arrived at the club, and he hasn’t started a match since November.
Sevilla have had an offer rejected, and there has been speculation that Juventus could target Martial, following Federico Chiesa’s season-ending injury.
If an acceptable offer is not received, Martial will remain at the Theatre of Dreams for the rest of the season. He is under contract until 2024 with the option of another year.
After being omitted from the festive matchday squads due to his desire to leave, Martial was needed for Saturday’s clash with Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford both missing.
But with the pair back in training today alongside Paul Pogba, it would be a surprise to see Martial back in the squad for Wednesday’s trip to Brentford despite Rangnick offering him an olive branch.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Martial has no desire to move to a Premier League club on loan, and both Newcastle and Tottenham have had approaches turned down.
With two weeks of the January transfer window remaining, there remains every chance that Anthony Martial could remain in Manchester and play for the Red Devils again this season following Rangnick’s gesture.
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