Former Man Utd player Paul Parker thinks Anthony Martial has been the club’s “disappointment of the season” after not grabbing his “great opportunity”.
Martial had an unsuccessful loan spell at La Liga side Sevilla last season and it looked like his Man Utd career was over heading into this season.
But he was afforded a fresh start under Erik ten Hag and he was one of United’s standout performers during pre-season.
It was hoped that he would take his form into the 2022/23 campaign but he has missed much of this season through injury.
The Frenchman has returned to the fold in recent weeks but he has been unable to make an impact. He was subbed off for Jadon Sancho late into Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Martial is out of contract in 2024 and it is believed that he could leave Man Utd this summer as Ten Hag prepares to recruit a new striker.
Parker feels Martial would have deserved it if he is let go in the summer as he “hasn’t grabbed” his opportunity.
“Anthony Martial is the player that has disappointed me the most. He had a great opportunity but he hasn’t grabbed it. I’m just wondering how serious his injuries actually were,” Parker told MyBettingSites.
“When he came back I wasn’t seeing a spring chicken running onto the pitch and I’m not seeing him investing enough in a game.
“He has been impetuous and impetuous ain’t enough for Man United. It has been a miserable season for him. Another miserable season and it’s incredible when you look at the length of the contracts that players sign. He has been hiding behind it for too long.”
Parker has reserved praise for Luke Shaw, though. He thinks the England international has been Man Utd’s “surprise of the year” as he has “done himself incredible justice”.
“For the surprise of the year, I have to go with Luke Shaw. He has popped up from nowhere and he was a death store in football terms but he has rejuvenated his career even though he still needs to improve and he still has a lot of work ahead of him,” Parker added.
“He still needs to work on his temperament and his discipline. Maybe he needs not to believe in all the hype in the way he conducts himself when things aren’t going his way. Not many left-side fullbacks have been as good as him. He has done himself incredible justice.”
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