Martial Meeting Mourinho's Expectations

Manchester United may have dominated the back pages this month but one player yet to grab any of the headlines for himself is Anthony Martial - one of last season’s standout performers.

Critics are sometimes quick to cite the so-called 'second-season syndrome' if an eye-catching first campaign isn't immediately followed up but United boss Jose Mourinho does not see any symptoms in the Frenchman and feels his no.11 has started the new term in fine fettle.

“When a team is not playing particularly great and is at an average level, then someone comes to the top. Last season, no Martial meant no three points,” said Mourinho, when asked about Anthony at his pre-match press conference.
“This season we've had no Martial goals and three victories. The team is okay; other players are scoring goals. I think he is performing more than okay and I wouldn't expect more than that at this stage.”

Mourinho also stressed that anyone wishing to judge the French forward should remember his shortened preparation period following Euro 2016. Despite this, Martial has still posed a threat down the left flank and the boss clearly has no concerns about the man signed from Monaco a year ago.

"He’s had no pre-season and was the last person apart from Pogba to join the squad," Mourinho pointed out. “Some guys take more time but I think he is doing fine and he will have a normal season, which for a guy of his quality is a good season. I think he will do well this year.”

Staying with the subject of attacking players, the manager was again asked by the media about Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who has yet to make his full debut for the club.

“I know that Mickey is a super player, who I know for sure is going to succeed,” Jose commented. “I am not in a hurry to say that he plays in every game from the beginning just to show everyone how good he is.

“It is difficult to leave him out at the moment admittedly, but if Juan Mata is on the bench then you are telling me that I want to kick him out. If I don't play Anthony Martial it is because he is in crisis, if it's Ashley Young then it's because I don't like him and if I don't play Memphis Depay then it's because he's on his way out too!
“The reality is that we have a very good squad and every weekend we are going to be here [discussing the players who are not in the team]."