Mourinho marshals Martial
United orders French winger to deliver more consistent displays
I can say he (Martial) is training better than before, he’s working harder than before. It’s just a question to bring his talent more in a consistent way.
Jose Mourinho
SANTA CLARA ( United States): Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has asked winger Anthony Martial to deliver more consistent performances after the French forward dazzled in a pre- season victory over Real Madrid.
Martial produced an impressive performance, including a fine run to set up United’s opening goal for Jesse Lingard before United defeated Real on penalties at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday.
Mourinho said he saw an improvement in Martial’s work ethic in training ahead of the new campaign but the 21-year-old will need to do more on the pitch to impress him.
“Obviously we want more consistency in his talent,” Mourinho told reporters. “I think today was positive for him, that’s why I left him for 90 minutes on the pitch.
“He was enjoying it and trying things, it’s important to try things in these friendly matches, so it’s good for Anthony and his confidence.
“I can say he is training better than before, he’s working harder than before. It’s just a question to bring his talent more in a consistent way.”
United face Barcelona tomor- row in Washington with a doubt over the fitness of midfielder Ander Herrera, who was substituted after suffering a knock in the second half.
“It must at least be very painful because for Ander to come off, it has to be very painful,” the Portuguese added.
“I want to wait and see what it is ... it was in front of the bench, it was a bad contact. Maybe it is his ribs but I don’t know.”
Mourinho is already without defenders Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and winger Ashley Young ahead of the season after the trio suffered long-term injuries at the end of the last campaign.
Meanwhile, Mourinho is set to snub offers for Ashley Young and keep him at United next season.
Young, 32, is wanted by Stoke but Mourinho wants him in the first-team plans at Old Trafford.
The former England winger is entering the final year of his current contract but United are willing to let his deal run down as Mourinho believes he can use him.
Young can offer the Special One cover at fullback as well as add to his options attacking from the flanks.
And he is expected to get games next season with United back in the Champions League, even if he is not in Mourinho’s full-strength starting line-up.
As Mourinho continues to revamp his squad, it was expected that the former Watford, Aston Villa and England player wouldn’t be part of the new plans.
However, Potters boss Mark Hughes is keen to attract him to the Britannia Stadium before the transfer window shuts.
Young made his move to United six years ago in a £15mil (RM84mil) deal from Aston Villa. The winger made his debut for United against West Bromwich Albion on Aug 14 in 2011.
Young is currently travelling with the United squad as they embark on their pre-season tour in the United States.
United kick off their English Premier League campaign at Old Trafford against West Ham United on Aug 13. — Agencies