Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has concerns that issues in Anthony Martial’s private life are to blame for his poor form this season, according to reports.
The Frenchman joined United from Monaco last year in a deal that could be worth up to £58million and he hit the ground running in his first season at the club, scoring 17 goals in all competitions.
Martial bagged a lovely curled effort at the weekend in the Red Devils’ 1-1 draw against Stoke at Old Trafford but that goal was his first in nine games this campaign.
The Times on Wednesday has claimed that Mourinho is worried that the France international’s off-field activities could be impacting on his “focus” at United.
Martial split from the mother of his daughter, Samantha Helena, earlier this year after allegations that the striker had been unfaithful. The Times told its readers:
‘The Times has learnt that Mourinho and his coaching staff aired concerns about Martial’s focus and determination shortly after the Frenchman returned to pre-season training at the end of July.
‘It is understood that the coaches informed the manager that they felt Martial was unable to concentrate in training because of issues that had dogged his private life over the summer.
‘The split is thought to have affected Martial and there were concerns at United’s Carrington training ground that he was not able to focus.’
His poor start to the season at United has carried over from Euro 2016 after he only managed to play 68 minutes in France’s march to the final on home soil.
The 20-year-old started the first four games of the Premier League season before being dropped and his goal against Mark Hughes’ side at the weekend will have given him the confidence he needs to kick-start his campaign.
Following Martial’s goal against Stoke, Mourinho said: “He needs that. It was an amazing goal and a very good initiative. From an individual point of view it was obviously good for him.”