According to The Guardian, Manchester United are open to the sale of Anthony Martial this summer if the right fee is offered, and would prefer to sell to a club outside of the Premier League.

The reason that Jose Mourinho is so keen to avoid seeing Martial join one of United’s Premier League rivals is that he realises how much the Frenchman would strengthen them. For that reason, the Red Devils boss should be doing all he can to convince the unsettled forward to reconsider his wish to make an Old Trafford exit this summer.

Martial struggled for regular football last season, making only 18 starts, and completing 90 minutes 5 times, over the course of the Premier League campaign. 

The 22-year-old is battling with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard for a starting berth across the United frontline, and hasn’t been able to establish himself as first choice so far under Mourinho.

Even in these circumstances, cashing in on the France international would be a big mistake.

The Breakdown

Despite a lack of minutes, Martial remains one of the most exciting talents in European football and has the potential to become one of the best in the game.

Recent seasons have seen the likes of Mohamed Salah and Kevin de Bruyne given up by Chelsea, only to make a huge impact for other top flight sides. United must avoid the Blues’ mistakes and hang on to Martial.

Mourinho has to start thinking long term, and realise that putting his efforts into developing Martial, and giving him more game time, will reap greater future rewards for his club than the immediate signing of, for instance, the 29-year-old Willian would.

United must keep faith in Martial, as he has the potential to become a superstar and repay them tenfold.