A former Arsenal ace has questioned ex-Manchester United forward Anthony Martial's desire to be a professional footballer, as he remains a free agent after failing to find a new club this summer.
Martial was released by Man United when his contract came to an end at the conclusion of last season.
The 28-year-old remains a free agent, but has been linked with several clubs during the summer transfer window.
But a legendary Arsenal midfielder has said the Frenchman is largely in a situation of his own making, saying he can't remember the last time he showed the talent or commitment necessary for a club to sign him.
Emmanuel Petit said on talkSPORT: 'I can't remember the last time he was a proper footballer on the pitch, producing good performances.
'Maybe he should ask himself this question, does he have the desire to keep on going with his career? Because I have the feeling that the last few years was very difficult for him on and off the pitch.
'It's quite difficult to get a good mind coming in every morning at the training ground and try to give your best all the time because you have a problem in your life, you have a problem in the dressing room, you have problems everywhere.
'So, if I was Anthony Martial, I would ask myself the question in the mirror. Do I still want to be a professional footballer?'
It was reported that Martial was passed over by Brazilian side Flamengo, who refused to sign the player based on his demands.
The 28-year-old wanted a three-year deal and a salary that Flamengo were unwilling to consider.
The two parties were too far apart for there to be any hope of successful negotiations.
AEK Athens also made an approach for Martial in recent weeks.
They were are reported to have offered Martial the biggest contract in the club's history in a bid to convince him to sign.
Man United signed Martial, then one of the most promising young players in world football, from Monaco in 2015 for a fee which could have reached £58million with add-ons.
He scored 17 times during his debut campaign but proved frustratingly inconsistent towards the end of his Old Trafford career with a diminishing goal return and increasing injury troubles.
His best return in United colours came when he netted 23 times in 2019-20 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but struggled to replicate that form. In all he scored 90 times in 317 games.
Martial has also been linked to Atalanta and Lille.
Yanabimpr
1
jg
Sinbeilsy
0
Arsene wenger your having a laugh
yaddeiklou
0
bring him to Arsenal
nezbciknoy
0
there are clubs even if you are a promising young chap the moment you join you can't bring out what's in you...,Man utd is in a deplorable state, lost those glory days even if you are a top notch you lose your value...... Sancho, Rashford are all facing same problem....if you are sharp you leave the club.
you mentioned low mentally boys that are riches and don't want to fight, that's the mentality of new generation players
Nikechukwu
0
He shouldn't question any contract offered right now, he should focus on saving his career and playing good football.
tihknprt
0
I feel pity for him,, pick up yourself Martial and be a man
Wuebcklpuz
0
poor body language in the ground...!!! never looked like playing a game,always roamed here and there pretending to be in a park
Yutacnsy
0
There are 70 billion professions/careers/jobs in the world …. Football is just one of ‘em. Tell Martial to try driving Uber or apply as a school teacher 😀😄😄😄
the guy has money, he can just invest his money and become an enterprenuerer
RichardTijaniMacki
2
there are clubs even if you are a promising young chap the moment you join you can't bring out what's in you...,Man utd is in a deplorable state, lost those glory days even if you are a top notch you lose your value...... Sancho, Rashford are all facing same problem....if you are sharp you leave the club.
DrHalaMsdrid
0
There are 70 billion professions/careers/jobs in the world …. Football is just one of ‘em. Tell Martial to try driving Uber or apply as a school teacher 😀😄😄😄
nukaelprt
1
But oba what is wrong with this Petit???? Very stupid old man
Charlesugwu
3
He should get himself attached to the mid-table team in EPL, forget about himself by throwing away his CV, and focus on relaunching his career. By this time next year, top teams will be looking for him
Voybcknz
0
this guy injuries did him bad too I feel he still has something left in him he should leave man u
emondorock
2
overpaid party boy who United turned into a lazyboy with inflated wages....he was never worth £250 000 a week
nunciknpr
1
is normal when people get older they develop attitude for talking too much uncle Petit can't keep his mouth closed,,
TheMentor
3
He spent five years pocketing 250k pounds weekly for doing nothing. That money turned him into a lazy boy, he is no longer ready to work
Jaybcknou
0
So lazy less training look viniciours or he is training hard
Viyeikpstz
2
this guy was spoiled by the glazers overhyped
Lueaeimryz
1
That was a bit harsh
It may e but it’s facts. For someone that’s not even 30 and you have former players asking if your direction is to shut down your playing career says it all.
ClemJay
0
That was a bit harsh
Sadek85
0
Big facts
Vacbksuyz
0
laziness killed him,even Rashford will follow his footsteps
no
NanbalRaphael
0
Useless
michaelkhongsai
0
i feel sleepy seeing his picture
Pammushokar
2
what happened with him he was excellent player
tupcekostz
2
laziness killed him,even Rashford will follow his footsteps
BradleyShingaiZimb
2
lazy crook,
Daphoenix23
4
He was just lazy and never motivated
GunnArs
2
i was mad back in 2015 when martial signed for man utd rather than for arsenal. and i still think he could and would have turned out to be a different player if he was guided by arsene wenger. but for now it seems no big miss and pity him how his career has gone…
Livingstone4u
3
Lazy lad
diebkmrtz
2
Talk is free.