Rio Ferdinand has urged the Manchester United hierarchy to “shut down” the troubling situation involving Anthony Martial after the wantaway striker publicly hit back at Ralf Rangnick.
Martial, who is under contract until 2024, is unconvinced by his future prospects at United and has expressed his desire to leave Old Trafford.
And the France international has attracted interest from Premier League clubs Newcastle and Tottenham, with Barcelona, Sevilla and Juventus also linked with him.
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However, Rangnick claimed Martial refused to be included in the United squad for his side’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa last Saturday.
Speaking after the clash at Villa Park, the United interim manager said: “He [Martial] didn't want to be in the squad.
“He would have been in the squad normally but he didn't want to and that was the reason why he didn't travel with us yesterday [Friday].”
Martial, 26, staunchly defended himself against Rangnick’s comments and maintained that he would “never refuse” to play in a match for United.
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Posting on Instagram Stories, the United star wrote in his message: “I will never refuse to play a match for Man Utd.
“I've been here for seven years and I never disrespected and will never disrespect the club and the fans.”
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Ferdinand has now weighed in on the Martial saga at United and described it as the “perfect example” of where the United hierarchy should intervene.
The United legend has insisted someone at the club “needs to come out and absolutely put this to bed” if the France striker is “not telling the truth.”
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, Ferdinand said: “Do you know what? That situation there is a perfect example for the hierarchy of that football club.
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“If Martial isn’t telling the truth there -- and I’m not casting any dispersions -- but if he’s not telling the truth when he says he’s never refused to play or disrespected the club, if he did refuse, then someone at that football club needs to come out and absolutely put this to bed.
“They need to give pure clarity, put a line in the sand, put a flag down and say, ‘This is us and this is where we’re at.’
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“At the moment, Rangnick has come out with what he said and Martial responded and basically said the manager is lying.
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“Someone better come out today or tomorrow and say something. You can’t have a player coming out and belittling what you say. No chance.
“He needs to get shut down if it’s true. If Rangnick is right, there’s no way any player should be allowed to speak like that.
“I don’t understand it. Manchester United can’t allow players to talk like that. There’s a truth and a false in this situation and I want to know.”
Featured Image Credit: Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE/PATopics: Rio Ferdinand, Anthony Martial, Manchester United, Premier League, England, Football