The perfect Man Utd and Brentford swap transfer deal that would hugely benefit both clubs

I remember Anthony Martial's debut for Manchester United, as I'm sure you do too. The electric turn of pace, the fortuitous bobble, the neat finish to bloody Scouse noses and announce his arrival at Old Trafford in prodigious fashion. On that day, in that moment, you might have forgiven the Red Devils for believing that they had a genuine superstar in their midst.

But things never quite panned out as expected. A little over eight years later, fortified by hindsight, we now know that Martial's full potential would go largely unbothered in a United shirt. As his departure looms, the Frenchman is still yet to score more than 20 goals in a Premier League season, and has amassed 15 or more strikes on just one occasion. That infamous Ballon d'Or clause looks more and more foolish with each passing campaign.

Now 28, Martial's career has spluttered and flattered to deceive without ever truly finding a consistent groove, and it is unsurprising that United are willingly allowing his contract to run down with view to a hushed exit. As of June, he will be a free agent, and his representatives are likely in tentative discussions with new clubs as we speak.

But what if United can still gain something from Martial's long goodbye? He is, after all, a member of the dressing room until he isn't, and while he has a peg with his name on it, he could be a valuable asset to the Red Devils. Regardless of how and when he leaves, Erik ten Hag's men will be in the market for a suitable attacking replacement. Indeed, even if Martial were to stay at Old Trafford, the accepted wisdom is that United will look to bring in another striker at the first available opportunity.

Several names have already been mentioned, from Serhou Guirassy to Victor Osimhen, but as far as Premier League players go, the only one who immediately springs to mind as a viable option is Ivan Toney. The 27-year-old made his return from a gambling-related ban this week, and has wasted little time in stirring the pot of speculation. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "It’s obvious I’d like to play for a top club, everybody wants to play for the top clubs, fighting for titles and these kinds of things. So whether it’s this January for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?"

In recent weeks, Arsenal and Chelsea have emerged as the two leading candidates to prise him away from current employers Brentford, but that's not to say that United, were they to throw their proverbial hat into the ring, wouldn't stand a chance. And what better way of sweetening the deal for the Bees than offering Martial in part exchange?

It's a possibility that would seemingly suit all parties. United, for their part, could wipe out a chunk, however small, of the £100 million fee Brentford are set to demand for their talismanic forward, while also immediately freeing up space on their wage bill. Thomas Frank's men would get a striker who, while never earth-shattering, can certainly do a job in the Premier League, while still receiving a hefty boost to their coffers.

Toney would earn himself a move to one of the top flight's traditional top six, and Martial, perhaps the least obvious beneficiary, would have the opportunity to rekindle his reputation with a Premier League side who, current form aside, have been on a steep and steady trajectory in recent years.

Of course, this is all hypothetical, but while they still have Martial on their books, what's the harm in United rolling the dice?