Anthony Martial debut highlights his big challenge at Manchester United

There are few fans who would have disagreed with the decision to let Anthony Martial join Sevilla on loan in the January transfer window.

The French forward has frustrated throughout his six-and-a-half-years at Old Trafford since a £50million move from Monaco, but there can be no denying the individual talent and untapped potential he still has to offer.

Manchester United were right to let an out-of-favour forward leave the club on a temporary basis, but it said a lot that they didn't want to sanction his permanent exit from the club just yet.

With a new permanent manager planned to arrive at the end of the season, United have been reluctant to make any rash decisions, instead opting to keep their options open just in case their new boss takes a fancy to a player currently on the fringes.

Martial, Donny van de Beek, Jesse Lingard, Eric Bailly and Dean Henderson could all easily have left Old Trafford permanently last month had the club actively looked to sell them, but right now that approach doesn't suit their long-term needs.

It once again highlights the passiveness at play around Old Trafford, with United reluctant to make ruthless decisions, even when they seem obvious to others.

United's next permanent manager will be tasked with clearing out the squad as soon as they arrive — though this very same issue is what has given Martial another glimmer of redemption.

A year ago, it was Lingard who transformed his fortunes with a stellar loan spell away from the club and 12 months later the onus is now on Martial to follow suit at Sevilla.

It might be unlikely, but it still isn't out of the question that Martial could make such an impact in La Liga that a new United manager decides to give him another chance when he returns