Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has aimed a dig at Anthony Martial over his desire to play in the number 9 role.
Following the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan, the Frenchman is keen to make the number 9 position and has been deployed in the same. However, Jose Mourinho has accused Martial of wanting to play in that role so as to avoid defensive duties.
“I know that Martial likes to play as a No.9, sometimes, I think for the right reasons, sometimes I think for the wrong reasons, but I know he likes to play as a No.9,” he told Sky Sports.
“Of course, [Marcus] Rashford does too, but he adapts perfectly on the left side because he has more responsibility and a high working rate, coping with the progression of a possible full-back.”
“Knowing [Cesar] Azpilicueta is not the most creative right-back in the world but he is very powerful and very aggressive and he still gets in attacking positions.”
“So if they play with Martial as a striker and Rashford on the left, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“But at the same time I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the opposite situation and they create a midfield where they give a certain balance where the midfield player on the left side can cover that progression and give some freedom to the left winger.”
Anthony Martial scored the second of four goals as United romped 4-0 past Chelsea in their opening Premier League campaign. The Red Devils will travel to the Molineux Stadium to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in their first away game of the season on 18 August.
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