Anthony Martial exit could give two Manchester United stars their ideal shirt numbers

It is another damning indictment of Anthony Martial that he might have played his final match for Manchester United when we are only just past the halfway stage of a season.

The number nine in his ninth year is bordering on testimonial territory, but the only testimonial he should be getting is a section on the club website warning against the consequences of mishandling player contracts.

He is now recovering from groin surgery and would be fortunate to put on a United shirt again if, indeed, his recovery goes according to plan and he is available in early April. It will mark the 22nd separate injury or illness he has suffered since he joined the club, a record that has already seen him miss 83 matches in total.

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Despite his dismal injury record and inconsistent performance on the pitch, he has remained a compelling character. He has a cult following and has been given opportunities by every manager he has played under.

His failings are as much about the club as they are about himself. Just look at the No.9 he still infrequently parades on a pitch whenever the side gets desperate enough.

It may not be the most iconic shirt number in football, but it is certainly symbolic, and Martial has rarely looked deserving of it. It was taken away from him when Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined the club and was then adopted by Romelu Lukaku.

Martial always felt aggrieved to have lost it after his impressive debut campaign and was delighted to claim it back after both Ibrahimovic and Lukaku were moved on while he remained.

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve played with number nine on my back," Martial told