Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has said that reported Newcastle target Anthony Martial didn’t want to participate in this weekend’s Premier League match.
Speaking to BBC Sport after United’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, the German coach revealed that the French international asked to not be a part of the squad for United’s trip to Villa Park.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the winger has asked to leave the Manchester giants, with the Telegraph reporting that Newcastle are chasing the attacker this January as an extra option upfront.
With Martial biting back at Rangnick on social media as per BBC Sport, the 26-year-old attacker looks all-but-certain to leave United this January with Newcastle one of the sides eyeing the forward.
A £36m signing from AS Monaco in 2015, the forward could be a solid option for many Premier League clubs this January, including Newcastle. And based on Rangnick’s comments, Martial is heading out of the exit door.
The former RB Leipzig head coach said: “Anthony Martial didn’t want to be in the squad, he would have been in the squad normally but he didn’t want to and that was the reason why he didn’t travel with us.”
Martial will leave after Rangnick comments, but not for Newcastle
With Rangnick seemingly hanging Martial out to dry, the Frenchman’s time with the club seems to be coming to an end this month. Yet whilst Newcastle are keen on the attacker, it is unlikely the United star will head to the northeast side.
After all, Newcastle just signed Chris Wood from Burnley. And whilst more firepower would be helpful for the Toon, sorting out the defence is much more important in the final two weeks of the transfer window for Eddie Howe’s side.
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