Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has revealed details of the agreement he struck to get the No.9 shirt back at Old Trafford.
Martial enjoyed a superb debut season at Old Trafford wearing his favoured shirt number but was forced to give it up following the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic the following summer.
Romelu Lukaku's own move to United eventually saw him handed the desirable squad number with the French forward forced to play back-up with the No.11 shirt instead.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer showed his faith in Martial last summer when he sold Lukaku to Inter Milan and backed the 24-year-old to be his new focal point up front.
Martial has repaid his manager's backing with 21 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions this season and it is little coincidence that his resurgent form has coincided with his shirt number change.
Now Martial has lifted the lid on his conversation with Solskjaer and revealed the agreement they had in order for him to get the No.9 back on his shirt.
“He [Solskjaer] sent me a message, he said ‘do you want to take your no.9 shirt back?’” Martial told Canal+.
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“I straight-up said yes! I said yes and he told me now it’s up to you to show me [that you deserve it] every time you’re on the pitch.”
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
