Anthony Martial has broken his silence on his stuttering Manchester United career.
The Frenchman has come out shooting from the lip - blaming Jose Mourinho of treating him with no respect and accusing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of treachery. Martial believes he is misunderstood by fans and media alike because he has often been forced to play through the pain barrier - and that his refusal to be a faker cost him a World Cup winner’s medal after he was left out of the France squad for 2018.
Martial said: “For the last two seasons, I have regularly played injured. People don’t know about that. I couldn’t accelerate during the four months of the covid season.
“But Solskjaer told me he needed me, so I played. Given my game, if I cannot accelerate then it becomes very complicated.
“But the coach did not bother to tell the media and obviously I ended up getting injured. I took it very badly. I had a feeling of injustice.
“You are being asked to sacrifice yourself for the team - and then you are dismissed. For me, it is almost treachery. That’s what I hate. I can be blamed - but not for being fake.”
Martial’s attitude has been questioned regularly in the seven years since he was signed in a £36million deal from Monaco. Mourinho was especially critical of the Frenchman and wanted to sell him during his spell in charge after succeeding Louis van Gaal.
Martial said: “Basically, I have to display my disappointment if I miss a chance otherwise people say ‘ah, he doesn't really care.’ I’ll tell you simply: I am a footballer, not an actor.
“I see players show their rage so that the media and public think they are motivated. But the media circus does not interest me. I cannot change to please others.”
In an explosive interview with France Football, Martial explained how his problems started when he fell out with Mourinho over the Portuguese’s decision to strip him of the No 9 shirt when Romelu Lukaku signed for United in 2019.
Martial said: “I scored 17 goals in my first season and had 13 assists and in the first part of the (2017-18) season I was top scorer. Then Mourinho bought (Alexis) Sanchez and I hardly played anymore. It cost me my World Cup place. I should have been there.
“Then came the story of the number. During my holidays, Mourinho told me he wanted me to take the No 11 shirt, explaining it was a great number because it belonged to Ryan Giggs. I have great respect for Giggs, but I told him I preferred to keep the No 9.
“Mourinho spoke about me to the press. He likes to play these games. I was a 20-year-old. If I said something it was me showing a lack of respect.”
Martial is seen as a key performer by new United boss Erik ten Hag. But he has played just 45 minutes this season through injury and is struggling with an Achilles problem.
He admitted that he must accept some of the blame. Martial said: “I am not beyond reproach. When people say I lack consistency, it is true.
“When I have my place, often it goes well, but when I am used less my performances are not the same. It is a vicious circle. I am less effective when I play less - and then I play even less.”
