Santa Clara: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has asked winger Anthony Martial to deliver more consistent performances after the French forward dazzled in a pre-season victory over Real Madrid on Sunday.
Martial produced an impressive performance, including a fine run to set up United’s opening goal for Jesse Lingard before United defeated Madrid on penalties at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Mourinho said he saw an improvement in Martial’s work ethic in training ahead of the new campaign but the 21-year-old will need to do more on the pitch to impress him.
“Obviously we want more consistency in his talent,” Mourinho told reporters. “I think today was positive for him, that’s why I left him for 90 minutes on the pitch.
“He was enjoying it and trying things, it’s important to try things in these friendly matches, so it’s good for Anthony and his confidence.
“I can say he is training better than before, he’s working harder than before. It’s just a question to bring his talent more in a consistent way.” United face Barcelona on Wednesday in Washington D.C. with a doubt over the fitness of midfielder Ander Herrera, who was substituted after suffering a knock in the second half.
“It must at least be very painful because for Ander to come off, it has to be very painful,” the Portuguese added.
“I want to wait and see what it is ... it was in front of the bench, it was a bad contact. Maybe it is his ribs but I don’t know.” Mourinho is already without defenders Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and winger Ashley Young ahead of the season after the trio suffered long-term injuries at the end of last campaign.
Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, meanwhile, has backed himself to improve in his second season at the club, saying his struggle to impress Mourinho has made him mentally stronger.
Mkhitaryan, who arrived at Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund at the start of last season, had to wait until September to make his first Premier League start against Manchester City, only to be subbed at half-time.
The Armenian improved in the second-half of the season and finished the season strongly, scoring in the 2-0 Europa League final victory over Ajax Amsterdam.
“For sure I will be a better player for this experience,” Mkhitaryan told reporters.
“Last year with my difficulties they helped me a lot. I could stay more strong in my mind, like mentally,” “It shows that you are strong enough to win them over or not. I think I have done everything to work hard, to show everyone I can play and that I can do my best for the team.” Mkhitaryan said United have set higher targets ahead of the upcoming season after finishing with League Cup and Europa League title in Mourinho’s first season at Old Trafford.
“The manager in general is saying that we need to do more,” the 28-year-old added.
“We know this season is going to be a little bit harder because we are not going to play in the Europa League we are going to play in the Champions League, which is different.” United, who finished sixth in the league last season, host West Ham United on August 13 in the opening game of their campaign.
— Reuters
