Martial Number Change Fallout

SteveJ

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I don't care what anyone says, if it's true that Zlatan called Martial's mum from Iraq, accusing her of being a Nazi - then that is completely unprofessional. Rude too - and we simply cannot stand for that sort of behaviour at this football club.
Pah, you have an agenda.
 

Jacob

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What a bullshit story. Martial is one of the most humble, down-to-Earth guys you'll find in our squad. Doubt he would get his panties in a twist over something basic like this.
 

Irrational.

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AJ Martial has 9 letters. Ibrahimovic has 11 letters. Now Martial has been changed from 9 to 11. 9-11. Illuminati confirmed. :eek:

Even if the reports were true, I have never before heard of a player leaving because his shirt number was changed. :lol:

Lack of playing time? Sure. Not being paid enough? Makes sense. Fall out with team mates? Not the first time. Losing your shirt number? Get a grip!

I'm sure he'll be annoyed, but Martial genuinely seems to enjoy being at the club, and loaning his shirt number to Zlatan for a couple of seasons is hardly the end of the world.
 

Rista

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Even IF they didn't inform Martial beforehand, the club have done nothing wrong. He's been here for a year and hasn't achieved anything so far. The whole brand thing is absolutely ridiculous.
 

Redtilldead84

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So I say go martial.. prove ya worth get it back! Might just fire him up a little! That's if reports are true. Let's see what happens! I do believe martial will be our main man up front sometime soon but ya never know, it is football after all!
 

crossy1686

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Storm in a teacup. United should have probably notified him first but it's not as though he's been given the number 29 or something. He'll get over it and he'll get it back when we sell Rooney and Zlatan takes the number 10.
 

Ibi Dreams

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He'll probably score a goal and celebrate like normal in our first game and everyone will forget about this
 

AltiUn

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Aren't the squad numbers for the season so far only provisional anyway?
 

Ban

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Aurier has problems everywhere, on the pitch, off the pitch but you can't get away from the fact that this is what he said for all of the world to hear. At the end of the day he's still at PSG and Blanc has been dismissed albeit with a pay off of 22 million €. I mean the club really must have had a reason for wanting to get rid of him mustn't they. A 22 million € manager pay off is a fairly rare thing I'd imagine.
You put it like numerous players talked about Blanc and then found one sentence from a guy who's problematic on and of the pitch.
 

Ibi Dreams

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He's literally just had one good season, why is he branding already.
To be fair, all footballers are at it and he is massively marketable already. Martial shirt sales were apparently only behind Messi and Ronaldo last season. It's not like TC23, I think he would be missing a trick if he wasn't doing it. That's just the way football is now.

Having said that, I don't see how it hurts his brand one bit to just change the number 9 to the number 11. I can understand him being a bit miffed if he wasn't informed or asked about it, but I don't necessarily believe that's even true
 

Ban

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Cant understand why some are saying he might leave. He wont especially cause they took his number. Dont exaggerate ffs.
 

Sandikan

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Didn't even notice this whole nonsense when the numbers first came out.
All I noticed was Januzaj being dumped out of the first 11!

It was pretty ridiculous he'd been given it anyway after a handful of decent games in an appalling season for Moyesie.
Might be a decent loan move to Sunderland for him. As he'd most likely play every week, which he needs urgently. Whilst we still have those vague memories of how he had so much potential, that at one stage we were sneering at £40m bids, and desperate to sign him to not become a Pogba freebie!
 

justboy68

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How would it not cross anyone's mind to inform the lad if you are going to change his number? You'd have to be completely brainless. So knowing United it's probably true.
 

Fortis Mente

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I'd play naked if I was being paid that kind of money every week, let alone a squad number.
 

jesperjaap

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Sounding like Victor Meldrew hearing about players and clubs as "brands" and "philosophies" and "projects" is just meh, also a bit ironic as that all suggest identities when in effect for me anyway has the opposite effect. If there is any truth in these rumours, he should be absolutely ashamed, but that is the selfish self serving world we live in nowadays....saying that I expect it is more a case of being embarrassed what with bring out his brand just after he gets a ner shirt number
 

Ishdalar

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If tomorrow I arrive at my work to find that my boss gave my office to the new guy without telling me anything I wouldn't be happy with that, almost every worker would be pissed in that situation. Obviously is not worthy to start WW3 but it sucks
 

Bugshot

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I wouldn't mind if the cnut is shipped out of the club by Mou. The kid is getting ahead of himself here. ......
 

Nytram Shakes

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Really disrespectful by united if Martial wasn't happy to give up his number, risking annoying a guy who is going to be a massive part of the future of the club,and fans who have bought his shirt all to pander to a guy who will be hear for a season, very short sighted.
 
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Cheesy

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Disappointing if he wasn't informed, or didn't want to have the number taken from him. Martial's already one of our best players and likely will be for years to come. More than happy to give Ibra a good number, but not at the expense of Martial.
 

Panther

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His number for France is 11 too so it would be better for his 'brand' if he's the same number for club and country. Plus 11 is a legendary number here because of Giggs and is traditionally a winger's number so it makes sense for Martial to get it.
 

ManchesterUnitedFan

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Disappointing if he wasn't informed, or didn't want to have the number taken from him. Martial's already one of our best players and likely will be for years to come. More than happy to give Ibra a good number, but not at the expense of Martial.
Oh no, he has to change his number what a tragedy. If he's willing to forsake a club because of this then he may as well go in my eyes, Manchester United is far bigger than Martial will ever be.
 

slir32

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His number for France is 11 too so it would be better for his 'brand' if he's the same number for club and country. Plus 11 is a legendary number here because of Giggs and is traditionally a winger's number so it makes sense for Martial to get it.
My thoughts exactly like CR7 it would be wise for Martial to have the same # for club and country.
 

Dec9003

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I don't buy into this story. Martial is the most nonchalant player I've ever seen, I can't imagine him ever kicking up a fuss about anything. He even looks relaxed on the pitch.
 

Cheesy

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Oh no, he has to change his number what a tragedy. If he's willing to forsake a club because of this then he may as well go in my eyes, Manchester United is far bigger than Martial will ever be.
I don't think anyone believes he's going to forsake the club. Just that when you have a young star player who's had an excellent first season for the club, it's a bit of a dick move to take his shirt number if you don't ask him.

The only reason Martial would've had to change his number was if Ibrahimovic insisted upon it, and was going to throw a strop otherwise. And if that's the case (might not be), then anything you've said in your post could equally be applied to Ibra.
 

hbgreg

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The club should give the number back ASAP. Martial is the future with De Gea and we need to do everything possible to keep them here.
 

dann496

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I find it hard to believe that the club haven't inform the player prior to changing the number. United isn't that amateur surely?
Even a company when they want to change their staff's desk or computer, they will always inform the staff first. It is simple courtesy which I am sure United won't miss out.

Since we haven't heard anything from the club side except from the doubtful twitter accounts , it is wiser to pass judgement after we have more information. We will know more about this soon enough.
 

justboy68

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As the poster above said, even if it's not a big deal it is simple courtesy which should be expected everywhere. It breaks down some trust to not be told of something like that.

The analogy of arriving at work one day and your office being moved because a new director wanted it, is quite accurate I think. Even if the new office is just as good, everyone would be at least slightly pissed off at that. It's worrying how many people in this thread don't seem to be aware of such common courtesy.

Regardless, hopefully it is not true that no one told him.
 

OldTrevil

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Surely every fan hopes this doesn't turn into an issue, I mean we would all play for United for 70 grand a year if given the chance, but the reality in football currently dictates that clubs avoid anything with potential to upset their best players, especially if it involves something as easy as checking with said players before changing their numbers. If it's true that the club didn't tell Martial, then it was truly an amateur hour decision. Let's hope he picks up from last season, starts banging goals in regularly and we can all forget this happened. Otherwise I don't think it's possible for the club to give it back after Ibra's instagram comment.
 

Red_toad

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As the poster above said, even if it's not a big deal it is simple courtesy which should be expected everywhere. It breaks down some trust to not be told of something like that.

The analogy of arriving at work one day and your office being moved because a new director wanted it, is quite accurate I think. Even if the new office is just as good, everyone would be at least slightly pissed off at that. It's worrying how many people in this thread don't seem to be aware of such common courtesy.

Regardless, hopefully it is not true that no one told him.
He got a shirt upgrade.

There is no evidence he wasn't informed prior.

If I arrived at work and found that my workplace had been taken over by someone & I'd been given an upgrade, I honestly wouldn't give a care. But these players are not office workers & have short careers where they move around a fair bit, so why would anyone get precious over a number on the back of a shirt?

Seems a lot of people are assuming he is upset with very little evidence, if it were Fellaini or Rojo, I'm certain fans would be less understanding.

He plays 11 for France without any issue, now we've matched him up. Lad should be well pleased. Had he not got a shirt number and been told he was training with the kids, then yes I'd have some sympathy.
 

Distracted Steward

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It'd be a slight if they didn't at least speak to him first. I don't see how people posting could say it wouldn't be.
 

NotQuiteManc

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I would have thought that accounts such as Insta and Twtter would be handled by ones management or PR team rather than the player himself. Unless ccks got out or escaped from attention.

I would be truly concerned if Martial himself publicly comment on this truly trivial matters.
 

TsuWave

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He's literally just had one good season, why is he branding already.
because he can and because he should. he is a popular player among fans, young, incredibly talented and has a kid to take care of. he should look after his financial interests because a football career can be short lived.

also, martial was being tracked by several clubs and had great champions league performances before we even bought him so that "only one good season" statement might not be as true as some would like to think it is, i guess that depends on what you'd call a good season for a teenager.
 

XdanielredX

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He can still have the brand AM9.

He doesn't need to 100% wear 9, I know that's why they brand but he is selling his own clothes... so sell them AM9.

But yes I also hope we haven't unsettled him for Ibra who will be with us for 1-2 seasons max.