Andy Cole has made it clear that Newcastle target Anthony Martial is letting himself down if he didn’t want to be a part of Ralf Rangnick’s recent matchday squad, as he told Sky Sports.
The 26-year-old was left out of his side’s 2-2 draw at Villa Park on Saturday, with speculation mounting about his future at Old Trafford.
Rangnick came out after the game and stated that he didn’t want to be part of the squad, with the player then debunking those rumours on his Instagram.
Since then, the Man United boss has added further comments that the matter has been ‘resolved’, with the Mirror claiming that Man United chiefs had to step in.
Either way, it’s not a good sign for the £36 million signing from Monaco (BBC Sport) who is on Newcastle’s January radar (the Telegraph).
Former striker Cole shared his blunt thoughts on the matter and how it shouldn’t even be a question on whether the player wants to be in the squad or not.
“There are always two sides to the story,” said Cole. “One will say one and the other will say the other.
“Ultimately, for what reason are you not in the squad? If the manager asks you to be in the squad and you’re not in the squad, there has to be a reason behind it.
“The manager shouldn’t be asking you (to be in the squad). He should be telling you. That’s it.
“If it is the case, ‘I don’t want to be part of the squad’, then you are letting yourself down, as well as your teammates, the football club and the fans.”
It’s understandable why Newcastle would look to sign a player of Martial’s ilk because on his day he can showcase some high-quality performances.
But, at the end of the day, he isn’t the type of player that gets stuck in or someone who has ever been part of a relegation battle.
As a result, Newcastle are better off going down a different road because even if they stay up, then most of their games are still going to be close encounters.
Martial fits into the luxury mood as a player and Newcastle already have that in the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Allan Saint-Maximin
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