Ginola: Martial may have to leave Manchester United to get back in France squad

Anthony Martial might be tempted into leaving Manchester United after being omitted from France's World Cup squad, according to David Ginola.

Martial missed out when Didier Deschamps named his 23-man squad for Russia on Thursday, being placed on the standby list despite starting France's last friendly game in March.

The 22-year-old's omission comes after he was marginalised at United following the arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in January and speculation that he may leave Old Trafford this summer.

"The main reason Anthony Martial is not in the squad is that you need to be a regular in your club before becoming a regular in your national team," former France international Ginola said.

"Deschamps has so many options and choices - strikers like Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezemann who have been consistently good for France - that it's not as if he has to be in there if he's not playing.

"Players like Martial need to play and score goals for the confidence, they need to be a regular. If he is not a regular at Manchester United he will probably search for another club and find one if he wants to.

"But I think Manchester United is a great club for him and it's up to him to give more in training and in games. If Jose Mourinho doesn't play him more regularly he probably thinks it's because he doesn't give his best all the time.

"I don't see a manager like Mourinho not playing a player who can make him win games. It doesn't work like that."

France's huge strength in depth was reflected by Martial being joined on the standby list by Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot and Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman.

Premier League trio Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea) and Mamadou Sakho (Crystal Palace) also missed out on selection.

"I think it is a nightmare for Deschamps to put 23 players on the list," Ginola said. "Rabiot is the one who is unlucky for me - he is in a massive squad at Paris and played all through the season.

"I'm quite amazed he did not make the 23 because this is a player who can give you the maturity of all those big games he has played. He is the only one I could see left out who could fit into the squad."

Credit: Skysports.com