Anthony Martial is Man Utd’s second longest-serving player as David de Gea exits

David de Gea's dismissive departure from Manchester United has seen Erik ten Hag lose his longest-serving player.

The Dutch boss is relying on his most senior figures to step up in leadership roles and progress further next season. However, some fans may be surprised to learn the identities of those most loyal servants left under Ten Hag's tutelage.

With 12-year veteran De Gea no longer on the books, Luke Shaw takes his place as United's new longest-serving star. The defender was Louis Van Gaal's second signing at Old Trafford in 2014 and has battled through adversity and doubts over his future to become one of the club's most valuable assets.

But it's Anthony Martial's status as United's second-most loyal player that may raise a few eyebrows.

READ MORE: Man Utd's Harry Maguire transfer asking price 'highly unlikely to be offered by any club'

Despite the initial buzz that followed the Frenchman's move to Manchester from Monaco, Martial has struggled to excite fans as much in recent seasons. United paid £36million up front for the attacker to make Martial the world's most expensive teenager at the time, having broken that record to sign Shaw for £27m one year prior.

After scoring 71 goals across his first five seasons at the club, Martial has netted just 17 times across the past three injury-hit campaigns. That includes a barren six-month loan at Sevilla during the back-end of the 2021/22 season, where he scored once in 12 appearances for the Spanish outfit.

It may surprise some to learn the 27-year-old has made 298 appearances for the Red Devils – only Marcus Rashford (359) has made more among the current squad.

Do you think Man United made the right decision cutting ties with David de Gea? Let us know in the comments section below.

Ten Hag has been active in recruiting leader figures in his first year at Old Trafford, with 2022 signing Casemiro and Christian Eriksen bringing plenty of experience. Lisandro Martinez has also won over fans as a leader through action for the club, while four-time Champions League-winner Raphael Varane is his own calming presence at the back.

The manager has also been able to count on Bruno Fernandes, who has embraced the captaincy during Harry Maguire's absence from the XI. Shaw – who will celebrate a decade at United next year – has accepted the armband on occasion and will be expected to step up again in Ten Hag's sophomore season.

Injuries have played a prominent part in preventing Martial – who has a contract until 2024 (with the option of an extra year) – from fulfilling his potential at United. Fans were quick to joke the club's recent acquisition of Arsenal doctor Gary O'Driscoll could be a lifeline for the 30-cap France international.

The opportunities will be there for the player to prove his value considering United have a void to fill in attack. It's no secret the club is in the market for a striker after Wout Weghorst's loan ended this summer, and Martial may yet provide a solution in that department.

However, many may feel eight years is long enough to know the answer to that question

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