Anthony Martial hasn’t played in a Manchester United uniform for more than a year. Supporters have responded to the once-promising hotshot’s recent two-goal haul against Panserraikos since he transferred to AEK Athens in September 2024.
The center-forward, who was born and reared just outside of Paris, failed to live up to his potential at Old Trafford and, despite his occasional flashes of genius, was too erratic in terms of injuries and goal scoring to be their main line-leader.
Having won the FA Cup twice with his previous employers, he has had a successful start to life in Greece. In all competitions, he has scored nine goals and provided two assists while playing mostly on the left wing but also throughout the front line.
Manchester United supporters flocked to social media after Martial scored his first goal of the game in the 23rd minute of his team’s most recent resounding triumph, a 5-0 victory over Panserraikos, who were in 10th place. Martial doubled his total just nine minutes before the final whistle.
The Two-Goal Run by Martial Against Panserraikos Serves as a Reminder
In June 2024, Manchester United made the long-overdue decision to not extend the Frenchman’s contract. Before Greek team AEK Athens, under the leadership of Matias Almeyda, approached his representation, there were no quick bidders for his signature.
Thus, after signing the dotted line on a free transfer and spending some time away from the limelight of Manchester United’s starting lineup, he has returned to his previous form as a lethal attacker who can create chances and score goals at a respectable pace.
Anthony Martial: Statistics for the Club
Club
Games
Objectives
Helps
Red/Yellow Cards
United Manchester
317
90
46
13/1
Monaco AS
70
15.
8.
2/0
Athens’ AEK
19.
9.
2.
2/0
Sevilla
Twelve
One
One
1/0
The Lyonnais Olympic Games
4.
0
0
1/0
As a young, attractive player with a Ballon d’Or clause in his contract, he tipped up to Carrington. Fans couldn’t wait to watch his brilliance develop in front of them, and the buzz was genuine, but the euphoria eventually subsided.
The threat posed by the former Monaco player, who joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2015 for a record-breaking cost of £36 million for a teenager, waned towards the end of his time at Old Trafford, but he has since rediscovered his shooting boots in southeast Europe.
Martial is a player resurrected in Greece, albeit at a somewhat lower level. Under Almeyda’s leadership, he scored in three straight games between late November and early December after a poor start to the season. Since then, he has established himself as a consistent starter.
Arriving at the back post for his second, Martial, who had one of the greatest Premier League debuts ever against Liverpool in 2015, darted across the front of the goal to latch onto Niclas Eliasson’s tempting ball.
Anthony Martial with his 9th goal in 19 appearances for AEK 💣
💛FORZA AEKARA🖤#AEKfc #monoAEK #AEKfamily pic.twitter.com/tpvgkGkE9X
— PEDRO‼️ (@PictonPedro) February 9, 2025
The Frenchman was replaced by Paolo Fernandes in the 83rd minute, but he had already made enough contributions to his team’s five-goal, five-star effort. He was hungry, eager, and persistent. The 30-cap France international, who is positioned on the left wing, will remember his brace as his best moment wearing an Athens shirt to far, but his intangible skills were equally outstanding.
He had a 100% success rate when dribbling towards opposing defenders, took 46 touches of the ball, and released three shots, two of which were on target and led to goals. When Martial scored that goal against Liverpool, his skill was demonstrated; he is now consistently displaying it.
Fans React to Martial’s Two-Goal Showing
‘The problem has always been Man United’
🇫🇷💥 Anthony Martial (29) with a brace for AEK Athens tonight! ⚽️⚽️
He has 9 goals + 2 assists for the Greek side this season. pic.twitter.com/4J2Xp0XzuU
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) February 9, 2025
The club’s frequent problem is that Ruben Amorim’s team is not scoring goals, which is what has led Old Trafford supporters to comment on Martial’s most recent performance. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are both having trouble settling in.
One person on X (previously Twitter) said that Manchester United, the 13-time Premier League champions, are the issue because players like Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Scott McTominay have all performed well after leaving.
Man United has always been the issue. Rashford was outstanding in his Villa cameo, Antony won back-to-back Man of the Match honours, McTominay scored goals for joy, and the list goes on.
“After leaving Manchester United, they always do well.” Before asking another question, a second fan asked why players start to shine and display their full potential after relocating to a new area. “Why is every player succeeding since leaving Manchester United?”
“All United players who are not in the club are performing well… that club is cursed.” While one supporter questioned Manchester United’s tactics, another made a comment.
The topic of Manchester United needs to be discussed. Is it that these players can’t shine because of the environment? Either they lack confidence or they are constantly hurt.
Amorim only has Zirkzee and Hojlund as his centre forward options after allowing Marcus Rashford to go on loan to Aston Villa. Among the club’s forward options, which also include Alejandro Garnacho and Amad, the 23-year-old former is the eldest.
