Manchester United in talks with Anthony Martial over new four-year contract

Martial has one year remaining on his current deal at Old Trafford, with the option of extending for an one further year until 2020

Manchester United are in discussions with Anthony Martial over a new long-term contract, despite the player’s bit-part status under Jose Mourinho.

Martial has one year remaining on his current deal at Old Trafford, with the option of extending for an one further year until 2020.

The France international has found opportunities increasingly limited under Mourinho, particularly since the arrival of Alexis Sanchez in January.

Martial’s agent, Philippe Lamboley, claimed earlier this summer that his client wished to leave United and Mourinho was understood to be open to letting the forward go.

Tottenham Hotspur enquired about Martial, while Paris Saint-Germain, Milan and Atletico Madrid were also linked with the 22-year-old.

However, United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was reluctant to sanction a sale and after months of negotiations last season, the club is still seeking to tie Martial down to new terms.

Martial is believed to be weighing up a new four-year contract, which will again include the option of extending for another year.

Mourinho is understood to be fully aware of the ongoing negotiations. The United manager most recently dropped Martial from the match day squad for Monday’s crushing 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham.