Anthony Martial has broken his silence on social media after failing to train since leaving Manchester United’s tour of America.
The Frenchman, who left midway through the pre-season tour to attend the birth of his second child, angered Mourinho by not re-joining the squad for the final two games – against Liverpool and AC Milan.
Merci à tous pour vos messages. Mon petit Swan va bien, pour la maman ça était plus difficile mais Grâce à Dieu elle va mieux maintenant. Desolé mais ma famille passera toujours avant Tout… Retour demain à Manchester 💪🏾
— Anthony Martial (@AnthonyMartial) August 1, 2018
It has since been suggested that Martial faces disciplinary action. Nothing less than a £180,000 fine – equating to two weeks’ wages – as speculation grows he will leave United in this summer’s transfer window.
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Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Martial wrote in French: “Thank you all for your messages. My little Swan is fine. For the mother it was more difficult but thank god she is better now. Sorry but my family will always go before everything… Back tomorrow in Manchester.”
Mourinho’s stance on Martial is that he would welcome an offer for the player, while Ed Woodward is concerned because of the player’s potential. The player himself has already expressed a desire to leave, through his agent.
But United are struggling to sign a replacement for Martial before the Premier League transfer window closes on August 9. They don’t need another left-sided attacker, but a signing is needed for the opposite flank.
After the US tour ended with a 2-1 win over Champions League winners Real Madrid, Mourinho was asked if Martial would be on his way.
Mourinho dodged that question, saying: “Anthony Martial is better for Karen [United’s press officer] to answer if she wants to answer.”
The United boss was pressed on whether Martial would be part of his squad upon their return to Manchester and would only say: “I don’t know.”
