Former MU flop criticised for goal drought after fail to score for EIGHT months

Former Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has endured a difficult start to life in Mexico, with journalists slamming his 'unacceptable' performances for Monterrey.

The Frenchman, now 29, left Old Trafford after nine seasons to join AEK Athens on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, signing one of the biggest contracts in the club's history.

He however well and truly failed to live up to expectations in the Greek capital, making just 23 appearances for Athens during an injury-hit campaign.

The club then chose to cut their losses on Martial after just year, with the forward later confirming a move to Monterrey towards the end of this summer's transfer window.

'I know many other players playing here, so it was an easy decision for me' he said at the time.

But Martial has also struggled to adjust to football in the Mexican top-flight, failing to register a goal or assist in his first five games for Monterrey.

The ex-Monaco man also missed a glorious chance in his most recent appearance for his new club against Tijuana, drawing a raft of criticism from local media.

One reporter wrote in Foot Mercato: 'The Frenchman is struggling to find the net and has not scored a goal for eight months. He has fallen far short of expectations raised by his transfer.

'In his last game, Martial missed a clear goal-scoring opportunity that cost Monterrey the victory against Xolos. He narrowly missed his first goal in Mexico, missed a header from a few metres from the goal-line while the Tijuani goalkeeper was practically beaten. An unacceptable error for a player of the quality of this 29-year-old.'

Slamming Martial's missed chance, Record also chimed in: 'Martial's mistake was so clear and so serious that the Frenchman himself seemed baffled.

'The Monterrey no 9 squatted for several seconds after the shot, regained his posture, put his hands and shirt over his face in embarrassment and had no choice but to thank and apologise to his team-mates.'

Prior to his eventual decision to join Monterrey, Martial had looked set to join another side in Liga MX, Aaron's Ramsey's Pumas.

The Mexico City-based side thought they had won the race to sign the attacker during the summer, with Martial even at one point scheduled to travel to the club to complete a move.

Pumas however claimed that Martial and his camp then pulled the plug on the deal at the last minute, instead opting to join Monterrey.

Miguel Mejia Baron, a member of the recruitment team at Pumas, incredibly urged Martial to apologise to the club for his conduct during negotiations.

'It's not the agent who decides, it's the player,' said Baron. 'I don't know if it is because of money - maybe he analysed other situations and had every right to make his decision.

'Maybe what he lacked was an apology.'

After signing for Man United in a £36million deal from Monaco in 2015, Martial went on to make 317 appearances for the club, netting 90 goals.

He lifted the Europa League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup during his nine years at Old Trafford.