Anthony Martial's agent has accused Manchester United of being "disrespectful" to his client after giving the forward's shirt number to fellow striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Philippe Lamboley hit out at the Red Devils for robbing the France international of the number nine jersey at Old Trafford in a bid to appease 35-year-old Ibrahimovic, who was handed the number on his arrival after completing a free transfer move in the summer.
Anthony Martial's agent hits out at at 'disrespectful' Manchester United #MUFC https://t.co/Nlo5i3jBSg pic.twitter.com/pWLXI95PSB
And, in an interview with RMC Sport, Lamboley launched a blistering attack on United's hierarchy for the "out of order" act that left Martial feeling despondent for 48 hours after being told of the decision.
He said: I'm not going to lie to you. Yes, it got to him. Yes, it surprised him. Yes, he was disappointed...for two days, but he's professional. He knew how to get back into things straight away.
Personally, I find that decision out of order and disrespectful to my player. I told Manchester United's board that. You just don't do it. So we accepted it, we turned the page, but we didn't rip it up."
Off to bed. @AnthonyMartial is digging his own grave. His form correlates with the type of woman he's with now.
Despite losing the coveted shirt number, though, Lamboley also insisted that Martial was happy to remain at Manchester United, even though his place in the starting line up was no longer assured, under manager Jose Mourinho, thanks to the likes of Marcus Rashford.
He added: He's very happy there.They're trying to make him look sad because he doesn't always smile. It's part of his personality. The people who know him well know that he's an adorable and welcoming boy. He loves the fans, who welcomed him so well.
He only has one desire, and that's to have a great season and win titles with United. Let him work, let this young 20-year-old be happy and take pleasure in his work.
"What he's achieved up until now is incredible. He's only started his career, and I can promise you the best is yet to come.�
A £36m signing from AS Monaco in the summer of 2015, Martial has scored 21 goals in 68 appearances for United, and lifted the FA Cup in his first season with the club last term.
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