Former Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has endured a torrid start to life in Mexico, with local media branding his recent displays for Monterrey as “unacceptable".
The French striker, 29, joined the Mexican club this summer after an underwhelming spell at AEK Athens, where he struggled to make an impact during a campaign plagued by injuries.
Despite signing one of the biggest contracts in the Greek club’s history, Martial managed only 23 appearances before being released after a single season.
Following his exit, he opted for a fresh start in Liga MX, finalising a move to Monterrey towards the end of the transfer window. At the time, he said: “I know many other players playing here, so it was an easy decision for me.”
Anthony Martial has struggled with Monterrey
|REUTERS
However, things have not gone according to plan. Martial has failed to record a goal or assist in his opening five matches for Monterrey, leaving fans and media questioning whether the former Manchester United man can rediscover his form.
His struggles were highlighted during a recent clash with Tijuana, when he missed a golden opportunity to seal victory for his side.
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Local outlet Foot Mercato revealed: “The Frenchman is struggling to find the net and has not scored a goal for eight months. He has fallen far short of expectations raised by his transfer. In his last game, Martial missed a clear goal-scoring opportunity that cost Monterrey the victory against Xolos.
"He narrowly missed his first goal in Mexico, missed a header from a few metres from the goal-line while the Tijuana goalkeeper was practically beaten. An unacceptable error for a player of the quality of this 29-year-old.”
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Anthony Martial left Manchester United in 2024
|PA
Record also gave their opinions on the Frenchman, saying: “Martial’s mistake was so clear and so serious that the Frenchman himself seemed baffled.
"The Monterrey No9 squatted for several seconds after the shot, regained his posture, put his hands and shirt over his face in embarrassment and had no choice but to thank and apologise to his team-mates.”
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Before sealing his move to Monterrey, Martial had been heavily linked with another Liga MX club — Aaron Ramsey’s Pumas.
The Mexico City-based side reportedly believed they had secured his signature, only for the forward’s representatives to withdraw at the last minute.
The media have began to turn on Anthony Martial
|REUTERS
Pumas recruitment official Miguel Mejia Baron revealed: “It’s not the agent who decides, it’s the player. I don’t know if it is because of money — maybe he analysed other situations and had every right to make his decision. Maybe what he lacked was an apology.”
Martial’s career began at Monaco before his £36million transfer to Manchester United in 2015. He went on to score 90 goals in 317 appearances for the club, winning the Europa League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup across nine seasons at Old Trafford.