Anthony Martial's loan move from Manchester United to Sevilla in January seemed to make sense for all parties.
Martial wanted a fresh start away from Old Trafford and interim manager Ralf Rangnick had a public spat with the player. Martial's stock had never been so low and Sevilla's loan offer was an opportunity for the forward to reignite his career in Spain.
United had no concrete or suitable offers to sanction a permanent exit for Martial in January and that was no surprise. He'd played a little more than 200 minutes in the Premier League since August and his record with injury was concerning. Martial had gone from a mercurial striker to a peripheral squad figure. The Frenchman has enjoyed just two good seasons from eight spent in Manchester.
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Sevilla agreed to cover all of the player's wages and the loan deal until the end of the season was sealed. The Spanish side knew signing Martial was a calculated risk, but it's clear that gamble hasn't paid off. Sevilla will be thankful they didn't go all-in with a permanent offer.
Martial has never been effective when the chips are down. He was never able to deal with competition for places during his time at United and his character seems too brittle for adversity. Martial's arrival in Spain has coincided with Sevilla underperforming and he's been unable to help his temporary club arrest their decline. Martial has become all too familiar with regression in his career.
The 26-year-old has contributed one goal and one assist in 11 appearances for Sevilla. Martial remains one of the highest earners at United and Sevilla might feel slightly short-changed for agreeing to pay his wages, considering his performances.
Martial has struggled with injury again with Sevilla. The United loanee failed to make Julen Lopetegui's squad for Sevilla's last two games with a muscular injury and the loan is having its opposite desired effect: Martial's stock is actually falling even further.
Sevilla fans haven't hidden their feelings towards him, either. Their initial excitement at signing a player that could potentially inspire them to the La Liga title — Sevilla were in contention for the title in January — has been replaced by frustration and bemusement.
Those emotions evolved into anger last month when Martial was booed by Sevilla fans for his performance against Barcelona. "This is elite football and people are free and can express themselves as they feel," Lopetegui told AS when asked about the jeers.
"I have to help him to achieve his best version. He is also a professional and has to do his part and adapt to what we ask of him.”
Martial is due to return to United at the end of the season and he's contracted at Old Trafford until June 2024; you hardly need to be a genius to recognise that's problematic. The departed Ed Woodward and the departing Matt Judge are to blame for the club's current contract policy.
The loan move to Sevilla was designed to make Martial a more attractive proposition, however his reputation has fallen yet again and that means it will remain difficult to tempt any suitors into a permanent deal. Only a few clubs can afford Martial's hefty wages and that calibre of side won't be interested in a player that already seems to have his best years behind him.
Martial's loan to Sevilla seemed to work for all parties, but four months later, his imminent return doesn't work for United or the player. It seems divorce is needed to end what once seemed like the perfect marriage. Martial had the world at his feet in 2015.
Although Erik ten Hag could yet breathe life into Martial's career, that seems unlikely, given his displays on loan at Sevilla. If United can't find a permanent or temporary home for Martial in the summer, it might even be best to release him from his contract.
That would certainly be a sad end to Martial's time at United but, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did with Alexis Sanchez, it might be necessary.
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