Erik ten Hag stance on Anthony Martial future at Manchester United amid striker search

Erik ten Hag wants to keep Anthony Martial at Manchester United next season, despite making a world-class striker his top transfer target for this summer.

United want to sign a striker during the summer window, with Tottenham's Harry Kane the leading target. There is also interest in Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos.

But splashing the cash on a striker might not mean the end of Martial's eight-year career at United, with Ten Hag confident the Frenchman can stay fit enough to play a part in his squad at Old Trafford.

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Martial was impressive against Sevilla on Thursday night when he made his first start for three months, but he was only able to last for an hour as he eases his way back to fitness. He's only once played longer than 72 minutes this season, hasn't completed 90 minutes for United since September 2021 and hasn't done so in the Premier League since January 2021.

But he has seven goals and three assists in 859 minutes of football this season and Ten Hag wants to keep him going into next season, despite more speculation over his future at the club as he closes in on 300 appearances.

Asked if Martial will still be at the club next season, Ten Hag said: "From my point of view, yeah."

That came after another glowing assessment of the qualities he can bring to the club and he again repeated his view that Martial makes United better when he plays.

That was evident on Thursday when he had a hand in both of Marcel Sabitzer's goals and produced a stylish display in terms of his link play and ability to hold the ball up.

Ten Hag believes Martial can play across his front line, but he sees him as a centre forward and is