Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford send messages as ex-Manchester United star Anthony Martial confirms decision to join AEK Athens
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford and former teammate Jadon Sancho have sent messages to French star Anthony Martial after he completed his switch to Greece. The France international signed a deal with AEK Athens as a free agent, having left the Red Devils in the summer.
Martial ended his nine-year stint at Old Trafford at the end of the 2023-24 season, leaving the club as his contract expired. The 28-year-old had played alongside a number of players in his time in England, including England internationals Rashford and Sancho.
Anthony Martial took to Instagram to confirm his transfer to the Greek outfit, and the comments section of his post had messages from former teammates and fans. Both forwards showed their solidarity to the Frenchman with their comments under his post.
"My brother❤️", Sancho wrote.
"My bro❤️❤️", Rashford wrote.
AEK Athens sought to replace Argentine striker Ezequiel Ponce, who left Greece for the MLS this summer, and they turned to the Premier League. They tried to sign youngster David Datro Fofana from Chelsea unsuccessfully before signing Martial from Manchester United.
Martial, once the world's most expensive teenager, scored 90 goals in his nine-year stint at Old Trafford as he struggled to live up to expectations. The former AS Monaco youngster will have the chance for a fresh start in Greece, where he has taken the number 26 shirt for his new club.
Rashford benched for Manchester United in drab draw against Palace
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford had to be content with a place on the bench as his side played out a goalless draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday (September 21). The England international, who had three goals in two games before the Palace match, was left out of the XI for the game as part of a rotation.
Alejandro Garnacho started in place of Rashford and came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half, with an effort from him coming off the woodwork. The Argentine youngster, however, failed to find the net in his time on the pitch.
United manager Erik ten Hag sent Rashford onto the pitch in the 61st minute in place of Joshua Zirkzee, but the 26-year-old failed to score. The decision of the Dutch manager to drop the in-form forward for the game was questioned, and the result failed to justify his decision. His side remain in 11th place on the log heading into their next game, a meeting with Tottenham Hotspur on September 29.