Barcelona Were Scouting One Manchester United Player Against Benfica

Barcelona were firmly concentrated on their game against Olympiakos on Wednesday, where they won 3-1 despite having Gerard Pique sent off in the first half, but their technical director Robert Fernandez wasn't watching the game at the Nou Camp.

Instead, as per Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo,Fernandez was in Lisbon to watch Benfica's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, and he had his eye on one player.

Mundo Deportivo reported Barca's interest in Anthony Martial earlier this month and they say that the Frenchman was being scouted at the Stadium of Light last night.

Image: PA

Martial has started the season in terrific form, despite not being a guaranteed first team starter under Jose Mourinho.

He was on the bench for the 1-0 win over Benfica, replacing Marcus Rashford in the 76th minute after the England star had put United ahead with a free-kick that caught out Benfica rookie goalkeeper Mile Svilar.

Martial was linked with moves to Sevilla and Tottenham, in January after enduring a difficult second season in England, but seems to have won over Jose Mourinho in recent months with a string of terrific displays.

He's scored five goals in eleven games this season and won the club's player of the month award in September.

Image: PA

Given Martial's age and quality, he would be an ideal signing for Barcelona next summer and with Mourinho using the Monaco youth product in a rotational system with Marcus Rashford, that may play into Martial's decision about his future, which could potentially lie away from Old Trafford.

After his initial move in the summer of 2015, which entailed a £36 million initial fee and various clauses, Martial has scored 30 goals in 102 appearances, including 17 in a scintillating first campaign in England.

Image: PA

If he was to move to Barcelona and become the latest Premier League star to play in Catalonia, he would link up with national team colleague Ousmane Dembele, who joined Barca from Borussia Dortmund for a €105 million plus a reported €40 million in add-ons.

Topics: Anthony Martial, FC Barcelona, Football, Manchester United

Josh Lawless

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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