Martial has to settle for bench

JOSE Mourinho only saw enough from Anthony Martial at the weekend to name the forward on the Manchester United bench against Hull tonight.

An impressive maiden season at Old Trafford has been followed by a frustrating second campaign for the 21-year-old.

Martial has netted six goals in 22 appearances since Jose Mourinho's arrival and the United boss has not been afraid to leave him out of the squad, never mind the starting line-up, at times.

Questions over the player's happiness increased after recently being omitted from the league match at Stoke and EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Hull, but the France international got a chance to shine from the outset against Wigan on Sunday.

Martial was moved out wide after an ineffectual first period through the middle in what proved a comfortable FA Cup fourth-round victory, setting up two of the goals in a 4-0 win at Old Trafford.

Mourinho had said playing "magnificently" against the Latics would mean the forward retains his place, but the United boss only saw "enough to be on the bench".

"He has to perform better than the others who are competing for the same positions," the Portuguese said.

"His position is one where we have lots of options. Do you want me to leave (Henrikh) Mkhitaryan out after being man of the match and playing so well as he did? I can't."