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Manchester United Chairman 'Overrules' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Decision To Sell Star Player, Says He's The Club's 'Pele'

Manchester United Chairman 'Overrules' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Decision To Sell Star Player, Says He's The Club's 'Pele'

The French forward frustrated Jose Mourinho and now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but he won't be leaving Old Trafford.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping to get rid of some of the players who don't work as hard this summer then he might have a problem on his hands because co-chairman Joel Glazer believes Anthony Martial is the team's Pele.

When Jose Mourinho was sacked by Manchester United back in December most people understood that the manager was far from the only, or biggest, problem at the club but he was the easiest to fix.

Out went Mourinho and in came Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However what wasn't fixed was the lack of leadership from the top, a director of football being put in place and the quality of players being improved.

Things did turn around for the better under Solskjaer initially but by the end of the season the team drew with relegated Huddersfield Town and lost to relegated Cardiff City, amongst many poor results.

One huge problem has been the perceived lack of effort from some of the players. Chief amongst those has been Anthony Martial, with Mourinho wanting to sell the Frenchman last summer.

Now Solskjaer has reportedly had similar thoughts but, according to the Mirror, any effort to sell the forward would be blocked by co-chairman Joel Glazer who sees the 23 year old as the 'club's Pele.'

Marcus Rashford hugs Pele. Image: PA Images
Marcus Rashford hugs Pele. Image: PA Images

The report says that Glazer and Ed Woodward were the reason that Mourinho couldn't sell the former Monaco forward last summer, when the manager wanted to bring in Ivan Perisic.

Martial then looked unlikely to sign a new deal at the club whilst Mourinho was still in charge but he penned a new deal in January until 2023.

Since then though he has scored just twice in 13 games and been at the end of the ire of many of the fans.

Martial with fellow countryman Kylian Mbappe. Image: PA Images
Martial with fellow countryman Kylian Mbappe. Image: PA Images

Martial's talent is unquestionable but he often disappears during games and the idea that he is the club's Pele will make fans both inside and outside the club laugh.

The Red Devils are clearly in need of a director of football to sort out both the incoming and outgoing transfers with questions hanging over the club as to who will be there next season.

One thing looks certain though, Martial won't be going anywhere.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Paul Pogba, Football News, Anthony Martial, Jose Mourinho, Manchester United, Transfer stories, English Football, Transfer rumours, Premier League, Transfer news, Pele, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Glazer family

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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@Sidler28