Anthony Martial Hits Out At Jose Mourinho Criticism During Time At Manchester United

Anthony Martial has responded to the criticism he received from Jose Mourinho, when the Spurs boss was in charge at Manchester United, saying there was 'no need' for the criticism to be so public.

Mourinho's relationship with Martial wasn't good and the manager often criticised the forward for his performances and lack of effort during games, and tried to swap him for Ivan Perisic.

The 24-year-old has now hit back, over a year after the former United boss left Old Trafford. "It's true that I'd have preferred it if he'd told me directly, there's no need to say it in front of everybody. After that, you definitely want to prove him wrong," Martial told RMC.

"He didn't start me during the first few games and each time I came on, I scored. In the end, he told me 'you see, now you understand what I wanted.'

"It can get to you. You just want to show him you deserve to be on the pitch."

Martial was used mainly as a wide player last season by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku prefered upfront, but the former Monaco player has been moved into the number nine role this season.

He seemed to start the season well but recently he has been criticised for his lack of effort and lack of goals, with a miss in the game against Liverpool proving why he'd never be a United striker according to Roy Keane.

Martial has scored just eight goals in the Premier League this season, with only one of them coming in the five years since the turn of the year.

It's been a frustrating time for Martial. Image: PA Images

A loss of form for the Frenchman couple with Rashford's injury left United looking for a striker in the January transfer window when Erling Haaland was their top priority.

The Norwegian went to Borussia Dortmund and United gave up their chase for a forward until the last 24 hours of the window and they eventually signed Odion Ighalo in the final hours of the window.

Mourinho tried to sell Martial but the board blocked the move. Image: PA Images

Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, former United assistant manager Steve MccLaren criticised the United forward saying, "The key one is Martial. Martial is not a number nine, he's not a striker. All his best moments are on that left hand side, that's where he plays.

"He cannot play down the middle on his own."

Topics: Football News, Anthony Martial, Jose Mourinho, Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Premier League, England, Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Ryan Sidle

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