Anthony Martial returned to training at Carrington on Friday morning after leaving Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the US early to attend the birth of his second child.
Jose Mourinho has been unhappy with the 22-year-old’s commitment to the club, and ‘did not know’ when the player was to return to training.
Speaking to MUTV, the United manager said: “Anthony Martial has the baby and after the baby is born – beautiful baby, full of health, thank God – he should be here and he is not here.”
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Martial hit back at Mourinho via Twitter, suggesting he is ‘family first over football’. However, the Frenchman is expected to pay a £180,000 fine (2 weeks wages) for not returning to the tour.
It is understood Mourinho would be willing to sell the forward before the end of the window, but a substantial offer would need to be received for United to think about letting him go.
Chelsea and Tottenham have both expressed an interest in Martial, but United are not interested in selling to a direct Premier League rival.
However, a return to United training in their first session since returning home from the US tour could mean that Martial may feature in Sunday’s friendly against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.
Mourinho is still lacking in options with players still to come back and get fit after post World Cup breaks. Therefore, Martial could still feature in United’s opening Premier League game of the season against Leicester next Friday.
