Manchester United have seemingly mapped out plans for life after Anthony Martial and, yet, the Erik ten Hag favourite might get one final chance at redemption - 12 months after his last one.
It seemed unthinkable, this time a year ago, the Frenchman would remain at Old Trafford beyond the summer but that is exactly what happened and Ten Hag effectively put his working relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo at risk to shine light on Martial as his main man.
With four goals and two assists to show from his early-season appearances, that decision was vindicated and Ronaldo - for reasons best left ignored - called time on his second coming. It was Martial who Ten Hag desired front and centre as he shaped United in his own guise.
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On-field displays were one thing, but Martial could not stay fit to build on his encouraging outings and owing to five separate injury setbacks has only played 17 games this campaign. Rightly so, Ten Hag grew impatient as he swooped for Wout Weghorst in January.
England captain Harry Kane is now on the radar for United to replace the stop-gap signing, while the club are also open to selling Martial in an attempt to generate funds. Ten Hag and those key figures upstairs will need every penny available if they are to do the unthinkable and tempt Daniel Levy into cashing in.
But allowing Martial to leave would be an oversight on two counts.
In current teammates Marcus Rashford and Weghorst - due to return to Burnley next season - United have a striker who cannot stop scoring and one who cannot score at this high level. Martial fits into that first bracket but, while lingering concerns over his reliability are completely valid, he must step up with Rashford picking up an injury that might, ultimately, have a knock-on impact on his future.
United are clear in their forward plans. However, as the jump from Frenkie de Jong to Casemiro via the short-lived pursuit for Adrien Rabiot proved, they have to be flexible when the market reopens; there are too many moving parts for them not to be.
On the proviso United get Kane and/or Victor Osimhen plus a back-up option, it would make sense to allow Martial to leave. However, the 27-year-old would still be the perfect alternative to Kane himself.
His limited game-time this season means he can no longer command first-choice status, but nor can he in the event he moves elsewhere. Ten Hag rates Martial and the respect is mutual, so much so United can call in one last favour from a player who has spent coming up eight years at the club.
With a one-year option in his contract which expires next term, Martial will theoretically be just as valuable for United to sell next summer as he is this. As back-up in the first instance, there is also a chance Ten Hag will miss out on Kane and Osimhen in his search for a prolific new striker.
Even more importantly when it comes to pursuing alternative signings, Martial can be the one Ten Hag leans on to ensure a smoother transition. Martial had Ten Hag to thank for extending his United career last summer. Now is time for him to repay that favour in the short and medium term after his comeback goal.
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