- A number of clubs in France are eyeing up a move for United forward Martial
- The Frenchman’s current deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season
- CHRIS SUTTON: Erik ten Hag is still on trial. He needs more than gradual improvement this season to keep his job – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Manchester United star Anthony Martial is reportedly set to be offered a chance to return to France as a number of Ligue 1 clubs eye up a move for the forward.
At the end of January, Martial was ruled out for 10 weeks following groin surgery as his career at Old Trafford continues to fizzle out.
It also places a question mark over whether Martial, 28, will play for the club again as he prepares to depart Old Trafford in the summer.
United are not extending his £250,000-a-week contract, meaning the Frenchman can leave as a free agent nine years after signing from Monaco in a transfer that made him the most expensive teenager in world football.
Now, it seems as though the 28-year-old could make a stunning return to French football in summer, with a number of Ligue 1 teams taking interest in the soon-to-be free agent.
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is set to be offered a chance to return to France
Erik ten Hag’s side are not interested in renewing Martial’s deal – which expires this summer
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According to The Sun, former club Monaco and Marseille are keeping tabs on the United forward ahead of contract expiring in summer.
Martial spent three seasons at Monaco, before making the move to Old Trafford, when he scored 15 goals and picked up eight assists from 70 appearances.
Monaco have finished third in two of the last three seasons and currently sit in the same position in the Ligue 1 table – only trailing to PSG and Nice.
Marseille, meanwhile, had a slow start to the season but, after recovering their form, currently sit eighth in the French top-flight standings.
Back in 2015, Martial cost United £36million but the deal was worth up to £58m including add-ons.
The erratic forward, who had a spell on loan at Sevilla two years ago, has scored 90 goals in 317 games in a United career disrupted by injury.
Martial has scored 90 goals in 317 games in a United career disrupted by injury
The forward could be on the verge of returning to Monaco – where he played for three seasons
Mail Sport revealed last month that Martial was training on his own to regain fitness after being absent since early-December through illness, and his agent Philippe Lamboley confirmed he had a groin problem that would require an operation.
A United statement said: ‘Anthony Martial has completed successful surgery to address a groin complaint and will be out of action for about 10 weeks as he rehabilitates.’
The forward has made just 13 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils this season after dealing with a number of injuries.
During that time, the Frenchman has scored just one goal which came during their 3-0 win over Everton back in November.