Martial blasts treatment he received from Mourinho
Martial has had several issues with changing his jerseys while at Manchester United and a particular incident with Mourinho seemed to hit a nerve.
“It started with the story of the shirt number,” he told France Football as quoted by RMC Sport. “During the holidays, he sent me a message asking me if I would change to No. 11, explaining that it was great because it was the number of the legend Ryan Giggs. I told him that I had the greatest respect for Giggs but that I would prefer to keep my No. 9. And when I go back to the club, I see my No. 11 shirt, the story didn’t go well.
“He disrespected me, directly. He talked about me in the press, little phrases, a bit like he had done with Karim Benzema at Real Madrid. In the [2017-18] season, I was the team’s top scorer in the first half of the season, he brought in Alexis Sanchez and then I didn’t play much. It was the World Cup season as well, and it cost me a lot at the end, especially as the French team won. I should have been there.”
Solskjaer was not left out
After Mourinho was dismissed in 2018, Solskjaer came in as his replacement, and although Martial enjoyed a resurgence in form, he said he did all he was asked to do but felt some ‘betrayal’ from the Norwegian.
“The last two seasons, I have regularly played injured,” Martial added. “People don’t know that, I couldn’t accelerate during the four months following the COVID season. Solskjaer tells me that he needs me, so I play.
“Given my game, if I can’t accelerate, it becomes very complicated. And I get criticized — the coach never bothered to tell the media. Obviously, I end up getting injured for good and when I come back, finished, I don’t play anymore.
“I took it very badly. I had a feeling of injustice. You are asked to sacrifice yourself for the team and behind you are dismissed. For me, it’s almost treachery. That’s all I hate. I can be blamed, but not for being fake.”