Anthony Martial has admitted Jose Mourinho ’s public criticism fired him up to deliver for Manchester United and prove him wrong.
The pair endured a frosty relationship at Old Trafford with Mourinho’s patience snapping in September 2018 after Martial neglected his defensive duties.
“I want to play Martial, something that you [the media] are asking for a long, long, long time,” Mourinho said at the time. “I left Alexis out and I think Martial is not a player very, very focused on his defensive duties.
“I thought to play him as a second striker would be easier for him and at the same time I feel we need quality on ball in the building up from the back and Scott McTominay has that quality with the ball.”
Martial has recalled the difficulty he had responding to the public outing from his former boss, but insists he used it to fuel a response on the pitch.
50 biggest potential summer transfersShow all 51 1 /5150 biggest potential summer transfers
50 biggest potential summer transfers 50 biggest potential summer transfers We take a look at some of the biggest potential transfers that could happen when the transfer window reopens this summer.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Edinson Cavani (PSG) Came close to leaving for Atletico Madrid in January and was also linked to numerous Premier League clubs. Out of contract in the summer.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Dries Mertens (Napoli) Another forward who was linked with a move to the Premier League and is available on a free transfer in the summer.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Willian (Chelsea) Had previously claimed he was happy to stay at Stamford Bridge but his relationship with the club has deteriorated after a move to Barcelona broke down. Yet to be offered a new deal.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli) Persistently linked with a move from Napoli to the Premier League. However, Real Madrid also hold an interest in the 28-year-old.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) Appeared destined to leave Dortmund before Christmas. Has repaired his relationship with the club since then but still likely to move sooner rather than later. Has no shortage of suitors.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) Real are desperate to offload him. A move to the Middle East or the MLS is, at this stage, more likely than a return to England.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth) Out of contract in the summer. A long-term target for Arsenal.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Kylian Mbappe (PSG) PSG’s prize asset but had a very public falling out with Thomas Tuchel last week. He has recently spoken of his admiration for Liverpool although it is unlikely the Reds will pursue him.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Neymar (PSG) Given Lionel Messi’s dispute with Eric Abidal, could he return to Barcelona as a peace offering to the Spanish club’s brightest star?
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen) A target of Liverpool’s. Leverkusen could be tempted into cashing in.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Paul Pogba (Manchester United) United hope he will form a midfield partnership with Bruno Fernandes but the Frenchman has long been unsettled and could push for a move away.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) Was linked with all manner of clubs in January, including Bayern Munich. Once again: expect there to be no shortage of interest in his services and for the winger to push for a transfer.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Dayot Upamecano (Leipzig) The 21-year-old defender is Arsenal’s primary transfer target. Whether or not they can afford him is another matter entirely. Leipzig won’t offload him on the cheap.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Christopher Nkunku (Leipzig) Another Leipzig talent who has been linked to Arsenal. If he continues scoring goals in the Bundesliga, however, there is likely to be fierce competition for his signature.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Leroy Sane (Manchester City) Has endured a miserable season in Manchester and has been repeatedly linked with a move to Bayern Munich.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers John Stones (Manchester City) Pep Guardiola has intimated City need to rebuild in the summer – could they be tempted to cash in on Stones? The England international has fallen down the pecking order at City and there are serious doubts over whether he will ever regain his first-team place.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) If Aston Villa go down he will almost certainly move. If they stay up, he will be very difficult to prize away.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea) The £71.6m signing has had a difficult season and there are whisperings Chelsea will look to replace him in the summer. If that’s the case, they will need to recoup a significant portion of the transfer fee that paid Athletic Bilbao.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Sergio Romero (Manchester United) The United veteran reportedly wants first-team football: Villarreal and Real Sociedad are keen.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Joshua King (Bournemouth) Came close to moving to Manchester United on deadline day. He is now reportedly unsettled and could leave Bournemouth when the window reopens.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Islam Slimani (Leicester City) The Leicester misfit has enjoyed an unexpectedly prolific season on loan at Monaco and emerged as a target for numerous clubs in the winter.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) A target for Barcelona – and that was before the rumours Messi could leave. Will Aubameyang really be happy with yet another season playing for Arsenal with no Champions League football?
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Bertrand Traore (Lyon) The former Chelsea forward was linked to Leicester City and Bournemouth in the winter window. He won’t come cheap but expect more clubs to join the chase for the 24-year-old in the summer.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Jorginho (Chelsea) So important to Frank Lampard at Chelsea but there are rumours he wishes to return to Italy, to join forces with Maurizio Sarri for a third time, this time at Juventus.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Cengiz Under (Roma) The 22-year-old, who has endured an injury-plagued campaign for Roma, is reportedly a target for Tottenham Hotspur.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Jude Bellingham (Birmingham City) Incredibly the midfielder is still only 16. Manchester United were the first to lodge an interest in the teenager. Manchester City have followed them in. Birmingham will be hoping a bidding war breaks out.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Adrian (Liverpool) Has impressed when called upon but, like Sergio Romero, could be tempted into a move back to Spain in pursuit of first-team football.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Boubakary Soumare (Lille) A target for anybody and everybody. Just don’t expect him to move to Newcastle United.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Ozil has shown precious little desire to leave Arsenal in the past but, with whisperings of lucrative offers from different Qatar sides, could he finally be tempted into quitting the Emirates?
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) Was desperate to leave Chelsea in January to boost his chances of playing at Euro 2020. Didn’t get his wish and will almost certainly now leave this summer.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) He couldn’t, could he? Arguably Liverpool’s most important player but is reportedly top of Juventus’ shopping list. File this one under ‘unlikely’.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Luka Modric (Real Madrid) Out of contract in the summer. A money-spinning move to the MLS seems likely.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Richarlison (Barcelona) Was he or wasn’t he the target of a massive bid from Barcelona late into the winter window? Nobody seems to know. It doesn’t really matter. Everton will be braced for more interest this summer.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Isco (Real Madrid) So long a target of Tottenham Hotspur, Isco has in recent weeks been linked to both Chelsea and Liverpool. As with Gareth Bale, Real Madrid would be more than open to moving him on.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid) Has failed to make the grade at Atletico Madrid. Has been repeatedly linked with Arsenal and – rather surprisingly – Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Southampton) Reportedly Tottenham Hotspur’s main transfer target when the window reopens. Everton also hold an interest in the 24-year-old. Whether he remains at Southampton or not has a lot to do with whether they can avoid relegation.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Layvin Kurzawa (PSG) Can leave on a free transfer in the summer. Arsenal are keen, as are Inter Milan.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Juan Foyth (Tottenham Hotspur) One of Mauricio Pochettino’s most highly-rated young players but he has struggled for opportunities under Jose Mourinho and is expected to push for a move away, having fallen behind 20-year-old Japhet Tanganga in the pecking order.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Emre Can (Juventus) Currently on loan from Borussia Dortmund from Juventus. The German club have an option to buy this summer, for £21m.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich) Has recently switched to an agency used by several Premier League stars, ratcheting up the speculation that he will leave Bayern Munich in the summer, particularly if they sign other targets.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Hwang Hee-chan (Salzburg) Poised to follow Erling Haaland and Takumi Minamino out of the Salzburg exit door. A target for Wolves, Leicester and Lyon – amongst others – although likely to cost in excess of £30m.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Moussa Dembele (Lyon) Chelsea were desperate to land him in the winter. The Blues could face stiff competition from Manchester United if they return for him when the window reopens.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Timo Werner (Leipzig) Has been repeatedly linked with a move to Liverpool. Just this week, he admitted he would be open to moving to the European and world champions.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Joao Cancelo (Manchester City) Has failed to impress as Manchester City and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was offloaded quickly.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur) Was close to tears after being taken off during Tottenham’s FA Cup win over Southampton. Has looked off the pace in recent weeks and his days at the top appear numbered. Could a return to the Eredivisie be on the cards?
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur) Loaned to Newcastle for the remainder of the season. Certain to leave Spurs permanently in the summer.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Danny Ings (Southampton) Is enjoying an incredibly prolific season that has attracted the interest of numerous different Premier League sides, but will be difficult to prize away.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Ben Chilwell (Leicester City) Chelsea are keen on the England left-back. But can they afford him?
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund) Out of contract in the summer. Has previously admitted he would be interested in a move to Liverpool but his wages could prove problematic.
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50 biggest potential summer transfers Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) Chelsea are close to wrapping up a £40m deal to bring the Moroccan to Stamford Bridge at Frank Lampard's first signing
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“It’s true that I’d have preferred it if he’d told me directly, there’s no need to say it in front of everybody,” Martial told RMC.
“After that, you definitely want to prove him wrong. He didn’t start me during the first few games and each time I came on, I scored.
“In the end, he told me: ‘You see, now you understand what I wanted’. It can get to you. You just want to show him you deserve to be on the pitch.”
Mourinho also experienced issues with Karim Benzema at Real Madrid and once claimed he only used the Frenchman because he has “nothing else”.
Martial admits Mourinho’s public criticism stung (Getty)
(Manchester United via Getty Imag)
But Mourinho insists Martial was a different case altogether and that he truly wanted the United forward to fulfil his potential.
“With Karim, it was not a conflict, I just wanted to help the player – an incredibly talented player – change his mindset, help him reach his maximum,” said Mourinho. “To become a killer, a determined striker. I really enjoyed working with Karim.
“He [Martial] is a boy with a different personality. The thing I can say is that I hope he will reach a level commensurate with his real potential.”
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