Footballers escaping the black hole of Manchester United in crisis and suddenly finding form at their next club is nothing new. With the pressure of representing the country's most scrutinised football team lifted players tend to flourish in a fresh environment with far less expectation. Anthony Martial has joined the party since leaving Old Trafford in the summer.

United opted against extending Martial's contract at the end of last season, calling an end to his nine-year stay in Manchester.

The Frenchman scored 90 goals and provided a further 46 assists across 317 appearances, a tally heavily restricted by relentless injury woes.

Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim have struggled to get goals out of their sides this season, contributing to dismal results.

Rasmus Hojlund has scored seven times in all competitions, while Martial's replacement, Joshua Zirkzee, has managed just five.

Zirkzee has three, and Hojlund is on two as far as the Premier League is concerned, with United slumping in 13th.

Martial bided his time and considered his options in the summer before agreeing to join AEK Athens in September.

And the 29-year-old hasn't only shaken off his injury issues in the Greek capital, but he's proving that he can still score goals, too.

Martial has notched up nine goals and two assists in 19 games and 15 starts for AEK, helping fuel a title challenge against Olympiakos.

He hadn't completed a full 90 minutes for United since September 2021 before leaving the M16 giants three years later, emphasising his struggles to stay fit.

However, Martial has played complete matches on nine occasions already for AEK and is reaping the rewards of his continued availability.

Despite the No. 9's troubles across the final years of his United career, he remained a favourite among a large section of the fanbase.

His departure was emotional for some, and his message to the supporters made it apparent that no bridges had been burnt.

"Manchester United will always be in my heart," Martial penned on Instagram after his exit was confirmed.

"This club has left its mark on my career and offered me an incredible opportunity to play in front of you.

"I'm leaving to take on new challenges. I'll always be a Red Devil, and I'll continue to follow the club's results with passion."

Amorim offloaded Marcus Rashford and Antony on loan in January without replacing either attacker, but a new goalscorer is set to be among his summer priorities.