“He Is Too Stubborn, He Thinks He Is Bigger Than The Club, We Are All Happy That He Has Left Old Trafford as Manchester United Sold Star Player Who Scored 32 Goals Last Season to Championship Club for As Low As £20m”
The summer transfer window of 2025 was one of the most eventful in recent memory, particularly for Manchester United. The club’s management made a bold decision, parting ways with one of their key attacking players, who had been a prolific scorer for the Red Devils the previous season. The player in question, despite his impressive 32-goal tally, was sold to a Championship club for a surprisingly low fee of £20 million. While many fans might have expected a higher price tag for a player of his calibre, Manchester United supporters were largely relieved by the departure.
The story surrounding this transfer is complicated, with the star player’s departure from Old Trafford marked by frustration, stubbornness, and disagreements. The player, who had been a consistent scorer for United, seemed to believe that he was bigger than the club, and that attitude led to his eventual exit. Now, as he heads to a Championship side, the general consensus among United fans is one of relief, with many feeling that his departure was long overdue.
The Star’s Impressive but Contentious Season
The player at the heart of the controversy is none other than Anthony Martial, whose Manchester United career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Martial was once regarded as one of the most talented young forwards in Europe, but his time at United was often characterized by inconsistency, a lack of effort, and occasional glimpses of his undeniable potential.
During the 2024/2025 season, however, Martial silenced many of his critics with a remarkable run of form. Scoring 32 goals across all competitions, he became one of the standout performers for the club and played a pivotal role in United’s return to Champions League football. His performances on the field suggested that he was finally living up to the potential that had seen him make such an impact as a teenager.
But despite the goals, Martial’s attitude and off-field behavior began to raise concerns. His body language on the pitch often suggested a player who wasn’t fully invested in the team, and he frequently showed frustration with United’s tactics and team structure. It became increasingly evident that Martial viewed himself as more than just a player; he saw himself as the face of the club, a mentality that didn’t sit well with United’s leadership or the fans.
The Strain Between Martial and Manchester United
As Martial’s performances on the pitch improved, his relationship with the club management and fanbase started to deteriorate. Reports emerged that Martial had grown disillusioned with the direction of the club under Erik ten Hag and felt that he was not being utilized in the manner he believed he deserved. His behavior became increasingly disruptive behind the scenes, with various reports suggesting that he was difficult to manage in the dressing room.
What made matters worse was Martial’s refusal to engage in tactical changes that Ten Hag tried to implement. While the Dutch manager sought a more disciplined, team-oriented style of play, Martial often appeared reluctant to buy into the system. This attitude quickly became a point of contention between him and the coaching staff, and tensions reached a boiling point when the player began making it clear that he felt he was bigger than the club itself.
Martial’s public comments about his desire for more freedom on the pitch, combined with his refusal to fully commit to the tactical vision of the manager, made it clear that his time at Old Trafford was nearing its end. The situation was compounded by his increasing isolation from the rest of the squad, with some of his teammates growing frustrated with his lack of effort and unwillingness to play for the team.
The Reluctant Exit
Ultimately, Manchester United made the decision to sell Martial during the summer transfer window. The club’s hierarchy recognized that his attitude was becoming a liability, and it was no longer in the club’s best interest to keep a player who seemed unwilling to put the team first. Despite his 32 goals from the previous season, Martial was not deemed indispensable.
However, the departure wasn’t as smooth as many would have hoped. Martial, who had initially been reluctant to leave, was reportedly unhappy with the low fee United had agreed upon for his transfer. A player who had been one of the top scorers for United only a season ago was sold to a Championship club for a mere £20 million—far below his perceived market value. For many fans, this was a clear indication that Martial’s poor attitude had not only tarnished his reputation but also significantly reduced his value in the eyes of potential suitors.
The club that eventually secured Martial’s services was Stoke City, a Championship club that had recently invested heavily in rebuilding their squad. While Stoke fans were excited to land such a high-profile signing, the general consensus was that the move was a gamble. Martial was undoubtedly talented, but his track record of inconsistency and his apparent reluctance to integrate into a team dynamic made many question whether he would succeed at his new club.
Fans’ Reactions to Martial’s Departure
For Manchester United fans, the departure of Martial was met with mixed emotions. On one hand, his goal-scoring record the previous season was impressive, and there was a sense of sadness that a player with such talent had failed to live up to his potential at Old Trafford. But on the other hand, there was a widespread feeling of relief that Martial was finally leaving.
Many United supporters had grown frustrated with Martial’s attitude, which they felt was holding the club back. The player’s apparent belief that he was bigger than the club, coupled with his occasional displays of laziness and petulance, created a toxic atmosphere in the dressing room. United fans had seen enough of his inconsistency and lack of commitment, and they felt that the club was better off without him.
“It’s about time he’s gone,” said one long-time United supporter. “He had his chance and he blew it. The talent was always there, but his attitude and stubbornness were a bigger problem than his goals. We’re better off without him. Good riddance.”
Another fan echoed these sentiments, adding, “We’ve had enough of the drama. He thinks he’s a superstar, but he’s not. He’s never been the kind of player who gives everything for the team. Maybe he’ll do better at Stoke, but he’s not missed here.”
The Fallout: Is This the End for Martial?
As Anthony Martial settles into his new surroundings at Stoke City, questions remain about his future in English football. The move to the Championship represents a significant drop in stature for a player who was once considered one of the Premier League’s brightest talents. Whether or not he can rediscover his best form remains to be seen, but the reality is that his time at Manchester United has effectively ended in failure.
The question now is whether Martial can rebuild his career at Stoke City. While he will undoubtedly be one of the star players in the Championship, the move to a club of Stoke’s level reflects how far he has fallen from the heights he once seemed destined to reach. If he continues with the same attitude that caused his departure from United, his time at Stoke will likely be short-lived as well.
Conclusion: A Fresh Start or a Final Fall?
Anthony Martial’s sale to Stoke City for just £20 million is a symbolic end to a chapter of wasted potential at Manchester United. What started as an exciting transfer from AS Monaco years ago has ended in disappointment, with Martial’s failure to live up to expectations both on and off the pitch costing him his place at Old Trafford. While his 32 goals last season were a personal achievement, they were not enough to overshadow the deeper issues surrounding his attitude and work ethic.
For United, selling Martial was a necessary decision, one that many fans feel has lifted a burden off the club’s shoulders. Whether or not Martial can prove himself at Stoke remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—his time at Manchester United is over, and t
he club is better off moving forward without him.
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