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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Julen Lopetegui makes admission on Anthony Martial's Sevilla debut after Manchester United move

Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui has called on on-loan Manchester United striker Anthony Martial to do more following his debut for the Spanish club against Osasuna on Saturday evening.

On a night where Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic missed a 93rd minute penalty to clinch all three points for the La Liga title hopefuls as they drew 0-0 with Osasuna, Martial — who joined the Spanish club on loan for the remainder of the season last month — played 77 minutes.

The on-loan United striker had experienced a difficult period at Old Trafford earlier this season, being restricted to just 11 appearances in all competitions, and joined Sevilla to get regular first-team football.

But he was unable to mark his debut for his new club with a goal.

And Sevilla boss Lopetegui — who has previously been linked with taking over at Old Trafford in recent months — admitted it will take time for the France international to make his mark in La Liga and adapt to his new surroundings.

"Anthony has to give us much more," Lopetegui said, as quoted by Sevilla's club website. "It was his first game and adaptation is not easy, he has played little this year and he has to get into dynamics and gain minutes and confidence."

Starting on the left of the front-three, joining Youssef El-Nesyri and Oliver Torres in attack, Martial completed 33 of his 36 attempted passes, but failed to have a single shot at goal.

The stalemate for Sevilla, which could have been avoided had Rakitic converted his effort from 12 yards in injury time, denied them the chance to cut the gap on current table-toppers Real Madrid to just a solitary point.

Martial will be hoping to get off the mark in Sevilla colours in his home debut when they welcome Elche to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Friday evening.

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