Just 12 months ago, Anthony Martial looked to have an uncertain future at Manchester United.
The French attacker had flattered to deceive under Jose Mourinho and struggled to cement himself under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
As the Norwegian plotted a summer clear out to kick-start his revolution, Mirror Football reported Martial’s future was secured by an unlikely source in the form of Joel Glazer.
The co-chairman was adamant he should be a big part moving forwards, resisting Mourinho’s urge to replace him with Ivan Perisic and insisting to Solskjaer he should stay.
Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez were amongst those to leave.
But Martial has remained and enjoyed arguably the best season of his career at Old Trafford.
Since the arrival of Bruno Fernandes in the January transfer window, he has kicked on to another level and bagged seven goals in his last eight Premier League games.
He became the first United player to score a Premier League hat-trick since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson with his treble against Sheffield United.
Still only 24, Martial looks set to be a focal point for United’s attack moving forwards under Solskjaer - with Glazer’s insistence on his future paying dividends.
Speaking after he reached 20 goals for the season last weekend, Solskjaer said: “I think the team creating chances, Anthony working hard, being the number nine in a settled position, but also once in a while rotating with Marcus [Rashford] and switching positions,” Solskjaer said.
“For his goal (against Bournemouth ), he started off on the left and curled it into the top corner.”
