UNITED ‘Martial missed his chance to go to the World Cup’
ANTHONY Martial has been told to learn from his World Cup omission.
And fellow Frenchman and former Arsenal and Chelsea defender, William Gallas, insists he does not feel sorry for the United winger after manager Didier Deschamps left him out of his squad for Russia.
Martial has endured a troubled season, forced out of the United side by the January signing of Alexis Sanchez – a situation that has led to speculation that he will leave Old Trafford this summer.
But Gallas believes he only has himself to blame for his France disappointment, saying he failed to shine regularly enough for United or take his opportunities with the national side.
“I don’t feel sorry for him because he had the opportunity,” Gallas said. “He was in the squad many times before. I think he missed his chance go to the World Cup.
“He didn’t perform at his best for the whole season. To go to the World Cup, you have to perform all season.
“You can’t be up and down, that’s what has made the difference. He is still young and maybe he will learn. He has great quality and it is a shame for him.”
Fellow Frenchman and former Old Trafford great, Louis Saha, who believes the 22-year-old still has a lot to offer for Jose Mourinho.
Saha says fighting for a spot in the starting line-up is the harsh reality of life at United, and insists only the player can change his fortunes at the club.
“[Not being in the team] is part of the process at a big club – the competition is there,” Saha told Omnisport .
“We all want to be in the starting line-up at our club in order to play for the national team. It’s difficult, it’s not easy.
“Sometimes we need to challenge ourselves by saying, ‘If I’m not in the line-up, if something is off, then I need to work on it.’ Other players can do it, like [Lionel] Messi or [Cristiano] Ronaldo. They don’t have bad patches because they clearly can adjust and challenge themselves. We cannot see much of their weaknesses. “The goal is clear. He has the quality to be in the starting line-up of any club at any time. If that is not the case, it’s because something is still missing and he needs to keep working.
“Obviously, I would tell him to stay – you don’t need to ask that question. He’s a great player. His pace makes me crazy. That’s just great. I want him at United in the best condition. Mourinho needs to maybe understand how to give him confidence.” William Gallas on Anthony Martial