Manchester United have two reasons to perform transfer U-turn on Erik ten Hag favourite

Manchester United have seemingly mapped out plans for life after Anthony Martial and, yet, the Erik ten Hag favourite might get one final chance at redemption - 12 months after his last one.

It seemed unthinkable, this time a year ago, the Frenchman would remain at Old Trafford beyond the summer but that is exactly what happened and Ten Hag effectively put his working relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo at risk to shine light on Martial as his main man.

With four goals and two assists to show from his early-season appearances, that decision was vindicated and Ronaldo - for reasons best left ignored - called time on his second coming. It was Martial who Ten Hag desired front and centre as he shaped United in his own guise.

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On-field displays were one thing, but Martial could not stay fit to build on his encouraging outings and owing to five separate injury setbacks has only played 17 games this campaign. Rightly so, Ten Hag grew impatient as he swooped for Wout Weghorst in January.

England captain Harry Kane is now on the radar for United to replace the stop-gap signing, while the club are also open to selling Martial in an attempt to generate funds. Ten Hag and those key figures upstairs will need every penny available if they are to do the unthinkable and tempt Daniel Levy into cashing in.

But allowing Martial to leave would be an oversight on two counts.

In current teammates Marcus Rashford and Weghorst - due to return to Burnley next season - United have a striker who cannot stop scoring and one who cannot score at this high level. Martial fits into that first bracket but, while lingering concerns over his reliability are completely valid, he must step up with