- Anthony Martial scored his first goal since joining AEK Athens over the summer
- It was his first strike since November 26 when he netted in a 3-0 win for United
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Anthony Martial has broken his duck for his new club after his third game since leaving Manchester United over the summer.
The French international had not scored in almost a year, with his previous goal coming in a Premier League clash in November 2023 against Everton, with the Red Devils winning 3-0.
Martial emerged as one of the brightest young talents on the continent at Monaco, which triggered United’s interest.
The Red Devils then splashed around £50.3million on his services, with the deal also reported to have included a Ballon d’Or winning clause should the youngster go on to win football’s greatest individual prize, so highly was he regarded.
However, things didn’t quite turn out that way for the forward who departed over the summer with 90 goals in 317 appearances for United after failing to earn a contract extension.
Anthony Martial ended his 11-month wait for a goal for new club AEK Athens in the Greek Cup
The ball broke to Martial inside the box at the back post after Aris failed to clear a cross
The French forward cushioned the ball before bundling it into the bottom corner on the stroke of half-time
Martial however needed just three games to get up to speed for his new club AEK Athens before netting his first goal – and fans will be hoping it is just the first of many.
On the cusp of half-time in a Greek Cup clash with Thessaloniki-based Aris, Martial broke the deadlock from an in-swinging cross.
The initial corner was cleared back to the taker who swung the ball back into the danger area.
It bounced kindly off an Aris defender and into the path of Martial – via an air-kick from one of his new team-mates – who bundled home at the back stick to register his first goal in Greece.
In celebration all of his fellow AEK stars gathered round him to congratulating on notching his first goal for the club, before the summer signing turned and pumped his fists for the crowd.
Martial was also given the Man of the Match award for his fine performance against Aris
It was also coincidentally his first start for the Greek giants, having come off the bench for his other two appearances, both in the Super League.
In fact, in recognition for his performance Martial was even awarded the Man of the Match award.