Martial can use Germany clash to accelerate his Manchester United career

After working his way back into contention for France, Anthony Martial must now use Tuesday’s clash with Germany to show Jose Mourinho he is capable of being Manchester United’s match winner.

Martial will be rewarded with his first start for France in over a year when Didier Deschamps’ side lock horns with the reigning world champions and Les Bleus will be looking for an early scalp in the build up to the 2018 World Cup.   

Things have improved for 21-year-old at Old Trafford this season after enduring a difficult first campaign under Mourinho, but Martial is still looking to nail down a regular starting berth at Old Trafford.

Martial and Marcus Rashford have interchanged on the left flank all season and that has limited the Frenchman to just three starts all season, although that has not impacted his productivity in front of goal.

The United No.11 has scored or assisted six Premier League goals from seven substitute appearances this season – at least three more than any other player – but he does not want to become Mourinho’s super sub.

“It’s easier to start the game,” he told SFR Sport last week. “When you come off the bench, the other players are warmed up, they’re totally in the game, and you have to get into it straight away.

“I prefer to start the game, I have more time to get myself into the game.”

While Martial has won over Mourinho this season, the Portuguese does not completely trust the former Monaco starlet. It’s telling that when United have come up against title rivals, Martial has dropped to the bench.

Against Tottenham and Chelsea, Martial has been limited to just 48 minutes of football. He did play for more than an hour away to Liverpool, but the tactics employed by Mourinho almost made Martial redundant in the match.

Over those three games, United have only scored one goal, that netted by Martial. It’s an area that the Red Devils need to improve on if they ever want to win the title under Mourinho and, on Tuesday, Martial will have the chance to showcase his abilities from the start against a formidable opponent.

Martial came off the bench to score the winner in a 1-0 win over Tottenham last month, but a strong showing against world champions Germany could go a long way in convincing Mourinho he is the man for the big occasion at United.