Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has revealed that he’s been left annoyed over being left on the bench at times this season.
The 21-year-old was a revelation last season after his big-money move from Monaco, scoring 20 goals and providing 16 assists in 60 appearances in all competitions.
However, with Louis van Gaal being replaced by Jose Mourinho this past summer, things haven’t gone quite as smoothly this season with the French international more restricted.
Martial has been limited to just 16 appearances in all competitions so far this year, and has scored just one Premier League goal.
His frustration can be encapsulated in the past week, as after starting in United’s win over Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday, he was left out against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night and it’s clearly taking its toll on him.
“It’s annoying to be on the bench, it’s truly annoying, but it’s a test you have to overcome and that’s how you progress,” he told SFR Sport in a television interview, as reported by ESPN FC.
“It’s difficult because all you want is to be able to help the team and when you’re on the bench you can’t.
“But these are choices and you have to accept it.”
Time is undoubtedly on his side and there is still a long way to go this season to ensure that it ends on a happy note, but it’s understandable as to why Martial would be annoyed having gone from the focal point to a bit-part option this season.
Competition for places has been the biggest problem with the arrivals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but with United still competing on various fronts Martial will get his chances to impress and ensure that he doesn’t stay on the bench for too long.