Manchester United star emerges as target for Premier League rival

Manchester United are on the verge of securing a place in the Premier League’s top four after a 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday. 

Casemiro’s first-half goal was enough to earn the Red Devils three points on the south coast, and Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Aston Villa means that United now need just one more point to ensure their place in next season’s Champions League.

Manager Erik ten Hag will likely look to bolster his squad during the upcoming summer transfer window, with United said to be intent on signing a new striker.

The likes of Harry Kane and Dusan Vlahovic have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but it now appears that the club could face a battle to keep hold of one of their current crop of forwards.

As per Football Transfers, Aston Villa are interested in Anthony Martial and could make an offer to sign the Frenchman on loan this summer.

Martial, 27, has played a bit-part role for United this term and the report claims that the player is not in Ten Hag’s plans.

Martial could leave Old Trafford this summer

The Dutchman will therefore look to move him on this summer, despite loanee Wout Weghorst being set to return to parent club Burnley.

France international Martial joined United from Ligue 1 side Monaco in 2015 but, despite making an instant impact in Manchester, has since struggled to maintain his best form.

In total, the striker has scored 87 goals and provided 53 assists in 296 matches across all competitions for the Red Devils.

This season, Martial has scored eight times in 27 appearances, and Villa could reportedly make a move to sign him on loan next term.

Villans boss Unai Emery is said to be keen on signing a striker this summer, and Villa could therefore look to sign Martial on an initial loan deal with an option-to-buy clause that would become active after a year.