Former Manchester United teammate defends Anthony Martial after AEK Athens 'mistake'

It is times like these when a famous quote from former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho bears repeating.

Back in 2018, as his hair turned grey and the bags under his eyes started to droop, an embattled Mourinho hit back at those suggesting that the Red Devils had moved on a few select players too quickly.

“See where they play, how they play, if they play,” was the Iberian’s response.

Six years on, that phrase feels even more pertinent.

There was certainly a section of the Manchester United fanbase who took issue with the departures of David de Gea, Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial and co.

Now, De Gea is at a middling Fiorentina outfit after failing to attract any offers he found tempting enough during a year out of the game. Varane is at Serie A newcomers Como, amid reports that his contract could be terminated already after yet another injury blow.

Martial, meanwhile, touched down in Greece on Wednesday night after Lille ruled out a return to France and Flamengo baulked at his wage demands.

Photo by Marc Atkins/Mark Leech Sports Photography/Getty Images

Anthony Martial left Manchester United in June

At the age of 28 – when most strikers are at the peak of their powers – Martial will soon be leading the like at AEK Athens. It’s fair to say Man United did not envisage this career path when including that infamous ‘Ballon D’Or clause’ in his contract nearly a decade ago.

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But how has Martial’s unexpected arrival gone down in Greek football?

Well, as you might expect, the France international has been greeted with flares and fireworks by an AEK fanbase who simply cannot believe they have managed to lure a striker of Martial’s prestige and profile.

For other, more cynical minds, a reported £7.5 million contract – the most lucrative in AEK’s history – is an almighty risk given Martial’s track record with injuries, per the Daily Mail.

“The transfer of Martial is a mistake,” a Greek footballer-turned-lawyer who once had a stake in Larissa, speaking to ERA Sport. “You give so much money to a player who has (had so many) injuries.

“AEK needs defenders, full-backs, fresh legs in the centre. Instead of strengthening the defence, which is tragic, they go and get a third centre-forward!

“They could buy excellent young players with that money.”

Former Manchester United team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin, however, is far more positive with regards to Martial’s hopes of success in the capital.

Schneiderlin spent last season at Kifisia FC, and is therefore well placed to pass judgement on the standard of Greek football.

AEK Athens move divides opinion in Greece

“I think (AEK play) his way of playing,” Schneiderlin, who joined in a £24 million deal from Southampton back in 2015 a month before a teenage Martial arrived from Monaco, tells Monobla.

“I’m sure he’ll have a great year, scoring a lot of goals. And he’ll enjoy AEK’s fast-paced style of play. He will help the team a lot. AEK is a strong team and Martial is the type of striker who can unlock closed defences and make the difference.”

Martial’s rather nonchalant approach and his indecipherable expression can create the impression of a man lacking that inner fight, but compatriot Schneiderlin insists that you should not judge a book by it’s cover.

Or, indeed, a striker by his inscrutable nature.

“He’s a man who doesn’t need to talk much,” Schneiderlin adds. “When you first meet him you think he’s cold, but he likes to laugh and is just an amazing guy.”

“I think he will be fantastic for both the Greek league and AEK. I believe that he should find joy in football and have an excellent season, while he will also bring great joy to the team.”

“He likes to play from the left and get into the area to create space. He also loves to compete as a striker. But when he plays from the left, he has better movements and can shoot with his right, while he also has excellent dribbling.”

Martial is the latest former English-based player to join AEK ranks.

The Athens-based outfit have already signed former Watford winger Roberto Pereyra, ex-Brentford goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, one-time Tottenham ace Erik Lamela, and EFL stalwart Moses Odubajo.

The brother of former loanee Sofyan Amrabat also earns a living at AEK these days.

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