Manchester United poised for Atletico approach for unhappy striker and may consider swap deal

Ralf Rangnick has enjoyed a strong start to life as Manchester United boss, guiding the red Devils to consecutive Premier League victories without conceding. 

The German has overseen 1-0 victories over both Crystal Palace and Norwich City, as well as a 1-1 draw against Young Boys in the Champions League.

The former RB Leipzig boss will have to wait for his next outing in charge, however, as the club’s game against Brentford was postponed due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in the United camp.

In the meantime, United have been drawn against Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League, after initially having been pitted against Paris Saint-Germain before a technical glitch forced a redraw.

Rangnick will go up against Diego Simeone in one of the picks of the ties, and United will fancy their chances against an Atletico side that have struggled to defend their La Liga title this term and currently sit fourth.

Martial has scored just once this season

Now, it appears that the two clubs could also be in contact off the pitch, with Eurosport’s Dean Jones reporting that the Spanish side will approach United in a bid to negotiate a swap deal involving Anthony Martial.

The Frenchman arrived in Manchester in style in 2015, scoring three times in his first two games and going on to score 17 goals in his debut season for the club.

In recent years, however, he has struggled for form at Old Trafford, and has started just three of the club’s last 33 league matches.

Now, the La Liga side are reportedly planning a move for the striker, and may consider offering a player in a bid to persuade United to part company with the player.

Rangnick was recently asked about Martial’s future, but refused to reveal anything, claiming that ‘the player hasn’t spoken with me or us about it’.

Eurosport claim that Atletico will ask United if there are any players in particular that they would be keen to sign, in order to improve their chances of agreeing a deal for the 26-year-old.