Anthony Martial will not be allowed to leave Manchester United – amid the growing uncertainty over Cristiano Ronaldo's future.
Martial has impressed new United boss Erik ten Hag so much on the club's pre-season tour, that the striker has been told he is staying put this summer.
United were open to Martial leaving or going out on loan again before the September 1 transfer deadline, but ten Hag has put a block on that having seen him play over the past few weeks.
With Ronaldo's future unsure, after United's most high-profile player let it be known he was open to a move away this summer, ten Hag feels he cannot afford to let Martial go.
The France forward's United career looked over when he went out on loan to Sevilla for the second half of the campaign, scoring just once there in 12 appearances.
But Martial returned to United and has impressed on their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, scoring three goals in as many games and looking sharp.
Ten Hag is confident he can get Martial back to his best and scoring regularly but has warned the forward he must show complete focus to realise his potential.
Martial has linked up well with fellow forwards Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho on the club's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia.
The quartet are likely to lead United's attack in their Premier League opener against Brighton on August 7, with ten Hag having been impressed by their pace, movement and understanding.
With Ronaldo absent from the tour for personal reasons, irrespective of his desire to leave, he will not be match-fit for the start of the season, with ten Hag planning for United's Premier League opener, at home to Brighton on August 7, without him.
Martial has endured a turbulent United career since joining from Monaco for £36million in 2015 under former boss Louis van Gaal.
After scoring a superb solo goal on his debut against Liverpool, Martial went on to plunder 17 goals in his first season at United.
He fell short of that total in his next three seasons, but managed a career-high haul of 23 in the 2019-20 campaign, only to fall back again the following two years.
While his ability has never been in question, in particular his pace and clinical finishing, Martial's questionable attitude and work rate have held him back.
