Opinion: What Jadon Sancho’s potential arrival means for Anthony Martial

Manchester United are hot on the heels of Jadon Sancho and a transfer this summer is growing increasingly likely after the club presented Borussia Dortmund with an improved offer, having had their first offer rejected.

Should Jadon Sancho arrive at the club, it will leave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with an embarrassment of riches in wide areas – something the team has lacked in seasons under Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal.

The Norwegian boss made it his mission from the offset to strengthen his flanks with pace and dynamism, which has been highlighted by switching the positions of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford two years ago.

Anthony Martial has long been one of Solskjaer’s most used players at the club and despite being the side’s top scorer in the 2019/20 season, his position is now rightfully being questioned.

A knee injury saw the Frenchman miss the end of last season in a cruelling blow, especially considering he was set to be named in France’s Euro 2020 squad. Instead, Edinson Cavani emerged as one of Manchester United’s most important players, which was underlined after he signed a one-year extension to his contract.

It is expected that the Uruguayan forward will remain Solskjaer’s first choice at the top end of the pitch with Mason Greenwood acting as his understudy, so where does that leave Anthony Martial?

Jadon Sancho’s potential arrival means that Mason Greenwood can continue his development centrally, with the former Manchester City youngster sharing responsibilities with Daniel James on the right-hand side.

On the left, Marcus Rashford has made the position his own. The 23-year-old plays every week when fit and his mouthwatering stats will not give the manager any reason to move away from the Wythenshawe-born forward.

Martial started his Manchester United career as a lone striker under Louis van Gaal, but Marcus Rashford’s emergence pushed him to the flank, and not until both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku had left, did Martial get a prolonged trial as the number nine.

Jadon Sancho is expected to cost Manchester United near nine figures and although he prefers a role on the right, he can also substitute on the other side. There is reason to believe that there simply isn’t enough space for all of United’s attacking talents to coexist.

Martial has three years remaining on his current deal at Old Trafford and should an offer come in for the former Monaco man, it could prove to be a good source of income to fund other transfers.

The 25-year-old is said to be stepping up his recovery from injury and was close to returning before Manchester United’s final game of the season. It’s safe to say that a good pre-season will be vital for Martial, whose Old Trafford stay is hanging by a thread.