Former Manchester United forward Danny Webber has insisted that Anthony Martial needs to perform for himself, even if he is not in the good books of Jose Mourinho.
Martial wanted to leave Manchester United in the summer and Mourinho was prepared to sell the player, but the club hierarchy decided against letting the young Frenchman leave.
There has been talk of him signing a new deal at Old Trafford but that has not changed his standing under Mourinho and he continues to remain outside the starting eleven.
Mourinho threw him in for the last 20 minutes at Vicarage Road on Saturday against Watford, but he immediately left the manager fuming when he carelessly gave away the ball during a swift counter-attack.
The Frenchman’s attitude was again under the scanner in another listless performance and Webber stressed that the forward needs to earn his way back into the starting eleven.
The former Red Devil is aware of the frosty relationship Martial shares with Mourinho, but he believes that the 22-year-old must show the self-respect to put in a shift, if not for the manager, for himself.
Webber said on MUTV when asked about the chances of Martial returning to the starting eleven: “I think he needs to earn his way back into the team.
“He has suffered from a lack of game time and whatever has gone on behind the scenes, sometimes you need to draw a line in the sand and move forward because he has frightening ability.
“Whether you think the manager believes in you or not, well do it for yourself.”
He continued: “I think back to David Beckham leaving – everyone knew about rumblings about him leaving and the slight unrest in the dressing room.
“But there was never a lack of respect for either player or the manager. Every time he pulled on the shirt, he did everything he could within his power to be the best he could be.
“It’s that level of self-respect you offer yourself, whether you are best friends with the manager or not.
“Go out there and wear the shirt with pride and that’s what you expect from the players.”
