Barcelona ready to challenge Arsenal for Anthony Martial if Man United man tires of life on the bench

ANTHONY MARTIAL is on the Barcelona radar, according to reports.

The Spanish giants apparently reckon the French striker will get tired of being on the bench at Manchester United.

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And that, according to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, will give Barca the chance to pounce – although Arsenal are also interested.

So far in 2017/18 Marcus Rashford has made 11 United appearances to Martial’s nine, most of them from off the bench.

In fact, he has made just one Premier League start, plus two in the Champions League.

And, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic expected to be back on the scene in the New Year, Martial could find himself still further down the pecking order.

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Since joining United from Monaco for £36million in 2015 Martial, 21, has made 48 Premier League starts and been a substitute 14 times.

To be fair he has scored five goals and six assists in those nine appearances this season as United have maintained an unbeaten run.

But the feeling is that Martial may not be able to cement himself a regular place in the starting line-up and could therefore look for a move away.

Should Barcelona proceed with their interest there will be competition from Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger reckons the French winger is a perfect replacement when Alexis Sanchez leaves Arsenal.

The Gunners may need to break the £50million barrier to land him.

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That's because but there are add-ons to consider in the original deal with Monaco that will see the fee rise.

But Wenger is willing to invest in the right player.

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Martial has lost his place in the France squad but regular games in Wenger’s team will put him back in the frame for Didier Deschamps team.