French man performance in their first season in Old Trafford - some who watched Mourinho on television for four months of unemployment after leaving Chelsea - gave the impression of a young, well-settled player. Wembley did not look dissatisfied in April as he celebrated the winner against Everton in the FA Cup semi-finals. But behind the scenes, Martial had a very public break with his partner and mother's daughter, Saman Jacquelinet. There was a difficult European Championship with France. Taking half a time against Albania, he did not start another match, and when he returned to the United States, he discovered a new signing. Zlatan Ibrahimović got his 9th shirt and would be forced to carry no. 11th Such things could not make it feel inhabited in Manchester, especially with her daughter and most of her friends and family in France. Mourinho and his staff were concerned about Martial's turbulent private life who performed his performances. He began six Mourinho's first seven matches in charge of United. But from the next 22, he was initially XI for only seven.
Martial’s agent, Philippe Lamboley, went as far as to say he would consider a loan move to Sevilla in January. And the reports were not well received by Mourinho, who told Martial “to listen to me and not listen to his agent, he has to listen to me in training every day.”
Nearly 10 month on and the advice, it seems, is paying off.
“I see a great improvement in the person, his mood, body language, his happiness,” said Mourinho, after watching the 21-year-old produce a man-of-the-match performance against Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup.
This season, Martial is locked in a battle with Marcus Rashford for the first-choice slot on the left wing. It has restricted him to just four starts, but he has still managed five goals — only three fewer than he managed during the whole of the previous campaign.
Off the pitch, he is settled in Manchester city centre with girlfriend Melanie Da Cruz. In the dressing room, he is being helped by the French-speaking contingent which includes Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini.
Mourinho, though, is still battling against Martial’s past. The United manager is of the opinion that the former Monaco man thrived under Louis van Gaal because he was given a free role — one that does not exist in the new-look United.
Mourinho’s wingers are expected to chase, press and help their full-backs. Martial is getting better, but Rashford still has the edge in that particular department.
It was a point Mourinho made after Martial scored one and made two in the 4-1 win over CSKA Moscow.
“The game adapted to Anthony’s qualities, the way we played adapted to his qualities, too,” he said. “He had lots of freedom, lots of support and lots of quality around him.”
There is, however, a feeling at Old Trafford that those qualities are still underrated. Those who watch him train at Carrington every day will tell you he is better running at pace with the ball at his feet than Rashford. He is a better finisher, too.
Eden Hazard, whom Mourinho knows well from their time together at Stamford Bridge, is considered one of the best players in the world, one of those occupying that imaginary level between everyone else and Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Yet, in the last three seasons, Hazard has scored 20 goals and recorded eight assists in 71 Premier League appearances. In the same time, Martial has scored 18 goals and recorded 12 assists in 62 appearances.
Real Madrid were linked with a £100 million bid for Hazard in the summer. Martial, meanwhile, was rated at £25m by Tottenham, although talk of a bid was dismissed by United officials at the time.
Had Mourinho succeeded in his pursuit of Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic this summer, Martial may have found his situation at United very different this season. Instead, he has taken his chance — something Mourinho had urged him to do last season. Finally, both manager and player seem happy. ❤ ❤ 2348050417551 available for a good time ... spill TEA.... Easy on Shade #jaiyeorie