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Football

21st Sep 2018

Jose Mourinho confirms Anthony Martial will be dropped for Alexis Sanchez

Simon Lloyd

Anthony Martial will be back on the bench this weekend.

Having started Manchester United’s opening Champions League game of the new season against Young Boys on Wednesday, Martial scored his side’s third and final goal of the night in Switzerland.

Although some might have expected him to keep his place for United’s game with Wolves on Saturday as a result of his showing in Bern, Jose Mourinho has confirmed the Frenchman will be dropped in favour of Alexis Sanchez.

Martial

“Sanchez plays because Martial played 90 minutes [against Young Boys] and Sanchez played zero,” Mourinho explained on Friday.

Sanchez, who arrived at Old Trafford from Arsenal in January, is yet to score for United in his four appearances for the club this season. Mourinho refused to single out the Chilean international, insisting that all of his players could improve on their early season performances.

“Every player has another level to step up,” he said.

Mourinho also revealed that Diogo Dalot, who impressed on his United debut against Young Boys will play no part against Wolves. The 19-year-old arrived from Porto in the summer, and Mourinho explained that he intended to only play him when he was “fresh” as he adapted to life at his new club.

Dalot is expected to start the Carabao Cup game with Derby County on Tuesday night, a match which could see Martial play a full 90 minutes should he not be involved at all on Saturday.

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