Manchester United were left both confused and angry by the Anthony Martial situation after the weekend’s draw.
Martial was not named in the squad, and interim manager Ralf Rangnick told MUTV the Frenchman did not want to travel to sit on the bench, while Martial later put out a statement saying he had not refused to play for the club.
United have let the situation simmer since, taking whatever steps now need to be taken, in private.
Former star Rio Ferdinand believes the situation is embarrassing for United, and the club need to come out with a statement to address it.
Speaking on Vibe With Five on YouTube, Ferdinand said: “That situation is a perfect situation for the hierarchy of that football club. If Martial isn’t telling the truth there, I’m not casting any aspersions, with the message he put out saying he’s never refused to play, if he said what Rangnick saying what he said, someone at that football club has to come out and absolutely put this to bed now and give it pure clarity, with a line in the sand and a flag down.
“With Martial basically saying the manager is lying, someone better be coming out and saying something today or tomorrow.
“You can’t have a player coming out and belittling what you say, no chance. He needs to get shut down if Ralf Rangnick’s right in what he’s saying, there’s no chance any player should be allowed to speak like that. I don’t understand it. Man United can’t be Man United letting players speak like that. There’s a true and there’s a false in this situation, who is it?”
United may have to repair Martial relationship
It’s doubtful if anyone above Ralf Rangnick will put out a statement as Ferdinand suggests. There just isn’t the leadership behind the scenes which carries the authority to do so.
ESPN reported on Monday that Rangnick is willing to repair his relationship with Martial, because he may well be stuck with him.
United are having a hard job to offload the Frenchman on loan, due to an insistence any interested club pay his £200,000 per week plus wages.
The report from ESPN claims Martial is not interested in another move to a Premier League side, and instead wishes to leave for a foreign side.
Martial has not played a single minute under Rangnick, and his squad spot has been taken by impressive youngster Anthony Elanga.
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