Anthony Martial has been left fuming after an alleged practical joke by his Manchester United team-mates, left him signing for a club that does not exist.
The French striker assumed that he had put pen to paper on a mega bucks deal with Saudi club Al-Ka Seltzer, but his enthusiasm soon waned after discovering the truth.
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Anthony Martial of Manchester United looks on during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Villarreal CF and Manchester United at Estadio de la Ceramica on November 23, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
“It is an absolute disgrace – I had sat in a room negotiated with who I thought was a club official and secured Anthony a four-year deal worth 100 million quid per-season,” a representative from Martial’s management agency told Paddy Power News
“It was only after a friend told me that Alka Seltzer is actually a hangover cure that the penny finally dropped.
“Martial has seen some of his pals sign ludicrous contracts in the Middle-East and has felt a little left out. When he heard of this supposed interest, he had a fresh spring in his step. He even put a deposit down on a luxury apartment in Saudi Arabia after selling his Manchester home to Mason Mount.
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“Now we’ve both been left with egg on our faces.
“If this is an example of your so-called British sense of humour, you can, how do you say, stick it where the sun does not shine,” the French forward’s Paris-based associate concluded.
And Paddy Power News has been granted exclusive access to recordings of the negotiations to show that the deal seemed to be legitimate.
What we can reveal however, is that the “Fake Sheikh” in the room looks remarkably like the first-team player who has just been given the captaincy on a full-time basis at Old Trafford.
Martial’s future at United is once again in question after another underperforming season, blighted by injury, left United boss Erik ten-Hag searching for a new big money striker.
After watching an experimental side get turned over by Wrexham in San Diego on Tuesday evening, Ten Hag was asked for his opinion on the incident in the post-match press conference.
“Make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of who is responsible. For now, Martial remains part of the Manchester United family and the club will undergo a root and branch investigation until we discover who the culprits are.
“The club will keep any findings in-house however, but what I can categorically state is that any players found to be involved, will automatically be given new four-year deals at Old Trafford.”
*Paddy Power’s breaking news coverage is 100% nonsense, but you knew that already… didn’t you?
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