Anthony Martial confirms Manchester United exit as he pays emotional tribute to fans

Anthony Martial has confirmed he will leave Manchester United as a free agent this summer.

The Frenchman’s contract at Old Trafford expires next month and, as expected, he will not sign a new deal, bringing an end to nine years at the club. The forward scored 90 goals in 317 appearances.

Martial’s final appearance for United came in December, in the 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, and he then spent the second half of the campaign on the sidelines after undergoing surgery.

It was expected that he would return before the end of the season but he did feature again, missing out on the squad for the FA Cup final win over Manchester City, and the 28-year-old took to social media to announce his departure.

He posted: “It’s with great emotion that I write to you today to say goodbye. After nine incredible years at the club, the time has come for me to turn a new page in my career.

“Since I arrived in 2015, I have had the immense honour of wearing this shirt and playing in front of you, the best supporters in the world! You have been an unwavering support, through the good times and the difficult. Your passion and loyalty have been a constant source of motivation for me.

“I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you've done for me. Your songs, your encouragement and your love for the club are memories that will remain engraved in my heart forever.”

Martial arrived in Manchester in 2015 from Monaco for an initial £36million and made an immediate impact, scoring off the bench on his debut against Liverpool and then netting a brace when making his first Premier League start against Southampton.

However, Martial reached double figures for goals in the Premier League in just three seasons in England, with injuries proving a frustrating hindrance in his final years at the club.

He is the second player to confirm he will leave the club as a free agent, with Raphael Varane’s time at United also coming to an end.

“Manchester United will always be in my heart,” Martial continued.

“This club has left its mark on my career and offered me an incredible opportunity to play in front of you. I'm leaving to take on new challenges, I'll always be a Red Devil and I'll continue to follow the club's results with passion.

“Thank you again for everything, and see you soon.”