adminCALIFORNIA. – Jose Mourinho was full of praise for Anthony Martial following his impressive cameo against Real Madrid, but said he must still do more.
Martial created United’s first-half goal for Jesse Lingard with a dazzling assist, before firing a shoot-out penalty over the crossbar as the Red Devils beat the Champions League winners 2-1 on penalties in a friendly win at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday.
The former Monaco hitman has struggled to nail down a place under Mourinho, with questions asked about whether he has a future at United.
But Mourinho said after the match that wants to see more of the Martial on display in California against Madrid.
“Obviously we want more consistency in his talent,” Mourinho told a press conference. “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.
“He is a young player, still time to learn, still time to improve, still time to develop, and it’s also his personality.
“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 play Barcelona next in Washington DC tomorrow, although midfielder Ander Herrera remains a doubt for the match after suffering a knock against Madrid.
“It was very painful because for him to come off, it has to be painful,” Mourinho said.
“I say to the players, no risk in friendly matches, if you feel something, that something is coming, a muscular injury, get out, the result is not important.
“But he was very painful, maybe muscle, maybe rib, I don’t know.” – AFP.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu