Jose Mourinho is unhappy with Anthony Martial due to the Manchester United striker’s recent performance against Liverpool teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to reports.
Martial was dropped for Manchester United’s most recent game, the 1-1 draw with Stoke on Saturday, with Mourinho elusive over the reason why. The Red Devils boss simply said Martial ‘was not selected’ when asked about the omission.
According to the Daily Mail, Mourinho was dissatisfied with Martial’s performance in United’s previous outing, the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Old Trafford. The France international was up against the inexperienced 18-year-old Alexander-Arnold but failed to make much of an impression. Mourinho eventually replaced Martial with Juan Mata after 65 minutes.
The decision to not even find room
for Martial on the bench for the game against Stoke has brought concerns over the £59million player’s future at Old Trafford back to the surface. The 21-year-old was understood to be upset at seeing his No.9 shirt handed to Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the start of the season and has grown frustrated at his lack of playing time this season. The start against Liverpool was his ninth in the Premier League so far this term.
The Daily Mail report that the snub of being left out for the game against Stoke on Saturday has upset Martial.
Manchester United are next in action on Thursday, when they take on Hull City seeking a place in the final of the EFL Cup. Whether Martial plays a part in the semi-final second-leg remains to be seen.
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