Martial must win mental battle, says Deschamps

Anthony Martial has been left in the shadows of Manchester United’s early-season hype, but France boss Didier Deschamps says the striker’s lack of form is all down to the mind.

Martial began to justify his exorbitant transfer fee – which could top £60m if certain add-ons are triggered – after a superb debut season at Old Trafford which saw him net 17 goals.

(Getty Images)

But his performances have lacked sheen next to the all-star arrivals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, while fellow rising star Marcus Rashford was the one to net a dramatic winner against Hull last weekend.

It is the type of inconsistency that can be expected from a 20-year-old – though Deschamps has suggested that the excuse of a long summer at Euro 2016 is starting to wear thin.

“At this age, even if he has already proved a lot, he has to go through that stage. He has to maintain a certain level of performance for weeks and months,” said Deschamps.

“He’s played a lot. He’s the one who played the most last season and that’s why he was a little unfit at the European Championships.

“He has a lot of qualities. I’ve already told him that so he is aware but he must push himself a little harder sometimes.

“It’s his state of mind. He’s like that so he needs to battle with himself.”