Manchester United loanee Anthony Martial has been urged to step up his performances in a Sevilla shirt after Julen Lopetegui subbed him off during his disappointing debut for the club.
The 26-year-old striker sealed a move away from Old Trafford in the January window, with Sevilla covering Martial’s wages as part of the loan deal.
Martial, who is under contract with United until 2024, told Ralf Rangnick he wanted to leave the Red Devils in a bid to secure regular first-team football.
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Sevilla had been linked with the wantaway United star for several months, but Martial’s loan deal does not include a buy option or a loan fee.
Martial started in his Sevilla debut against Osasuna on Saturday, but the Frenchman failed to make an immediate impact for Lopetegui’s men.
Lopetegui withdrew the United loanee in the 77th minute for Munir El Haddadi, with Sevilla dropping crucial points in the La Liga title race.
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Following the 0-0 draw with Osasuna at El Sadar, Lopetegui acknowledged that Martial might be rusty “because he’s hardly played” first-team football this season.
However, the Sevilla boss has insisted that he expects much more from the France international going forward.
“He has to give us more,” Lopetegui said. “It was his first game, it’s not easy to adapt.
“He comes with a bit of baggage because he’s hardly played. Bit by bit he has to get up to speed.”
Martial has managed only 11 appearances at United this season and scored once across all competitions.
Despite his disappointing debut, Martial’s teammate Oliver Torres revealed the France striker is “shy” and he has been impressed by what he’s seen from the player.
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“Considering players of his calibre choose Sevilla says a lot about Sevilla,” he told Mucho Deporte.
“He’s shy. Little by little, we’ll have to get him into the banter here. He [has shown signs] of the great player he is.
“He’s only been here for a few days. We train here at a very high pace, and he’s realised it. He said ‘there’s a lot of running here.’
“In front of goal, if he has the chance, he buries it and that makes the difference.”
Topics: Anthony Martial, Sevilla, La Liga, Spain, Julen Lopetegui, Football
Adnan Riaz