As Manchester United prepare for the new season, fringe players such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Anthony Martial are in a quandary.
New manager Erik ten Hag is expected to make a number of new additions to his squad before the Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion. A deal for Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia has been agreed, while the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Christian Eriksen could be in line to follow him to Old Trafford.
On the other end of the scale are Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Anthony Martial, two men whose future at United is anything but secure. And, as the pair aim to win over Ten Hag, they both find themselves in a similar position.
Martial spent the second half of last season on loan at Sevilla after struggling for opportunities under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. However, after a return of just one goal in 12 appearances, the Spanish club opted against making the move permanent.
The 25-year-old was in the France squad as recently as September 2021, playing in a World Cup qualifying win against Finland. With the tournament in Qatar just months away, though, he is in danger of missing out once more after his disappointment in 2018.
Wan-Bissaka, in contrast, remained at United for the entire campaign. He lost his starting spot, though, with Diogo Dalot preferred by Rangnick in the latter part of the season.
While United have yet to add to their ranks at right-back or in attack, they continue to be linked with more recruits. Time is running out for both Wan-Bissaka and Martial to show their worth, but both players will at least be given an opportunity.
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According to Goal, Wan-Bissaka has not been told he will definitely be leaving Old Trafford. The defender, who cost £50m from Crystal Palace back in 2019, will be allowed to show Ten Hag what he can do before the manager makes a decision.
The same publication suggests Ten Hag remains open-minded about Martial, though it has been suggested a significant offer could prompt United to part ways with the former Monaco man. United paid £36m for Martial back in 2015, but he has only hit double-figures for league goals three times in his entire career.
"It's not just about money. It's to play and to enjoy it," Martial said upon moving to La Liga in January. "That's it. That's why I chose to come here, to play and to enjoy football again.
"[The negotiation] hasn't been easy. But from the first day, I knew I wanted to come to Sevilla and we all worked for that to happen."
