Frustrated Manchester United Star Brands Time on the Bench as 'Truly Annoying'

Published on: 16 December 2016

Manchester United attacker Anthony Martial has admitted he's frustrated with life at Old Trafford at the moment, describing his frequent time on the club's bench as "annoying".


Martial was United's top scorer last year, in his debut season in Manchester after signing from Monaco, though the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the summer and some below-par form has meant he's started less than half of all his club's league games to date.

Most Premier League assists by U23 players this season:

K. Iheanacho (3)
A. Iwobi (3)
A. Martial (3)
R. Sterling (3)

Real talents pic.twitter.com/DzUUx9DjQ8

He has shown in fits and starts he has been able to recapture the form of last season, but was challenged publicly by boss Jose Mourinho to step up his game recently. Martial has struggled for consistency since his new boss' arrival, and Mourinho has spoken frequently about the competition for places in Martial's position.


The 21-year-old has howevertoldFrench broadcasterSFR Sport:"It's annoying to be on the bench, it's truly annoying, but it's a test you have to overcome and that's how you progress.


"It's difficult because all you want is to be able to help the team and when you're on the bench you can't.But these are choices and you have to accept it."

Read news on Smalling, Bailly, Shaw and Mkhitaryan in Jose Mourinho's #MUFC injury update: https://t.co/G4BAjr6WK1 pic.twitter.com/xrT027ISh9

Martial though is still determined to live up to his potential at United and went on to issue a reminder that his young age may mean people are expecting too much too soon.


"People expect a lot of me, but sometimes they forget I'm still young.Everyone can think what they want, it won't change anything."


The player was left out of United's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in midweek, though did start the win over Tottenham last weekend. Martial has also been linked with a potential move to West Ham United this week -in a proposed swap deal for Dimitri Payet -though Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has dismissed the claims.

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