Anthony Martial unveiled at surprise new club as snubbed rival team hit out at former Man United star's conduct after deal fell through when he 'refused to budge on his HUGE wage demands'

Anthony Martial has been criticised for the way he handled his move to Monterrey after being unveiled by the Mexican side on Friday.

The former Manchester United star, 29, has joined the LigaMX outfit and could make his debut for his new club on Saturday.

Martial has been at the centre of a transfer saga involving Monterrey and their rivals Pumas, who thought they had won the race to sign the French international.

Pumas officials have insisted they had reached an agreement in principle with AEK Athens and Martial was set to travel to Mexico City, where the club is based, to complete the move.

They claim, however, that Martial and his camp then ceased contact with Pumas - and they then found out he had instead opted to join their rivals Monterrey.

Miguel Mejia Baron, a member of the recruitment team at Pumas, told TUDN that Martial should consider apologising.

'It's not the agent who decides, it's the player,' said Baron. 'I don't know if it is because of money - maybe he analysed other situations and had every right to make his decision. 

'Maybe what he lacked was an apology.'

There had been claims Martial had caused the deal with Pumas to fall through when he refused to budge on his huge wage demands.

Martial, who joined United for an initial £36million rising to £58m back in 2015, was reported to have signed the biggest contract in AEK Athens' history when he put pen to paper with the Greek side last year.

The star was released by Man United when his contract came to an end at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.

He joined the Greek Super League side on a free transfer that summer but recorded just 24 appearances for the club in all competitions, and was left out of six successive matchday squads.

Martial joins Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos, who made the move to Monterrey seven months ago.  

'I know many other players playing here, so it was an easy decision for me,' Martial said at his unveiling. 

'I wanted something new, and this was a great option for me. I'm very happy to be here.

'Physically, I'm feeling very good because I was training every day when I was in Athens so I already feel ready. It is difficult with the jet lag but I am ready to help the team.'

Monterrey are top of the Liga MX table having won seven of their first eight matches, with one defeat.