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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

'It's true' - Manchester United star Anthony Martial admits he is inconsistent and explains why

Anthony Martial has opened up on his inconsistent performances for Manchester United, explaining that he struggles to get to his best when he isn't playing regularly.

Martial enjoyed an excellent debut season at United with 18 goals and 11 assists but he has struggled to keep his performance levels as high in subsequent years. His last good season came in 2019/20 when he scored 23 times but in the last two seasons combined Martial has scored just eight goals for United.

The nadir came last season when the Frenchman made it clear he wanted to leave Old Trafford but could only get a loan move. He joined Sevilla in January but only made 12 appearances. Martial has now spoken candidly about why he has struggled in recent years.

ALSO READ: Martial blasts Mourinho and Solskjaer

“I am not irreproachable," he told France Football. "When people say that I lack consistency, it's true. When I have my place, it often goes well, but when I've been used less, it's It is true that my performance has not been the same"

“It's a vicious circle: I'm less efficient, because I play less and therefore I play even less. When it's like that, I can sometimes drop out a bit. A player like [Edinson] Cavani, he's at 3000% even when given few minutes."

Martial has often come in for criticism for his body language on the pitch and he addressed those claims as well. He continued: "Basically, I have to display my disappointment after a missed opportunity so people say: ‘Ah, he doesn't really care’. I'll tell you simply: I'm a footballer, not an actor.

“A lot of people think you have to be a comedian and I see players who show their rage so that the public and the media think they are motivated. All the media circus does not interest me. I cannot change to please others.”

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