By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

1st Dec, 2023 | 7:00am

Sources: Man United plan to agree Martial contract and then let him go

Man United could now activate Anthony Martial’s one-year contract extension clause and then let him go, sources have told Football Insider.

The Red Devils could move to prolong the 27-year-old’s deal in order to protect his value and prevent him leaving for free in 2024.

Martial’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (28 November) that the Frenchman’s future at Man United is yet to be decided.

It is believed the Old Trafford club would be open to letting Martial leave the club in January if they receive a suitable offer, but they would need to first bring in another striker in the new year.

If prospective new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe chooses to sign a new forward next summer, sources say that Martial is likely to be allowed to leave.

United do not want to leave themselves short from January, with summer signing Rasmus Hojlund yet to make his mark in Premier League football.

Martial was one of the heroes for Erik ten Hag’s side as they ran out 3-0 winners against Everton on Sunday (26 November).

His goal against the Merseysiders was his second in 16 appearances across all competitions this season.

The forward earns a reported wage of around £250,000-a-week at Old Trafford.

Martial has racked up 90 goals and 55 assists in 314 appearances since joining for a reported initial fee of £38.5million in 2015.

Hojlund has replaced the ex-Monaco star as the undisputed first-choice forward this season but is yet to score in nine Premier League outings.

In other news, 31-year-old “likely” to quit Man United next year.