Anthony Martial has been warned that he has a fight on his hands to keep his place at Manchester United.
Former Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand has issued the stark warning to the French striker, with football currently on hold.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to add to his side when the transfer window reopens.
And one position where he has been clear he is looking to strengthen is in attack.
The Norwegian opted to sell Romelu Lukaku last summer and didn’t sign a replacement until Odion Ighalo’s January arrival.
Martial has been the preferred No.9 and has scored 16 times this term in 34 games.
(Image: Getty Images)
But he has also missed a number of matches across the campaign due to various injury issues.
Recently Solskjaer has spoken in glowing terms about Ighalo, and his desire to get on the end of things in the six-yard box.
Now United legend Ferdinand has come out to say that Martial needs to do more if he is to remain first choice at Old Trafford in future.
“At big clubs, you’ve got to fight. That’s it. That’s what all it boils down to. Can you fight for your position? That’s it,” explained Ferdinand during an Instagram Live session.
“You’ve got to accept there’s going to be an opportunity for someone else to come in and play. But then your performances have got to outweigh everything.
“You’ve got to make sure the manager knows.”
Solskjaer has his sights set on Jadon Sancho in the upcoming window, but those plans may be undone with Borussia Dortmund wanting in excess of £100million.
Ighalo, who signed on loan until the end of the season from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, has impressed and been among the goals – despite limited minutes – and could be kept on.
