Bruno Fernandes revealed his issue with Anthony Martial years before Man United sold him

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Anthony Martial's failure to lock down a fixed position at Manchester United could be why Erik ten Hag got rid of him. The Frenchman spent nine years at Old Trafford, racking up more than 300 appearances and scoring 90 goals.

He was let go at the end of last season following the expiration of his contract and is currently without a club. The 28-year-old never really cemented a regular spot in United's first team and was used in a variety of positions including on the wing and in the No.

9 role. Back in 2020, Bruno Fernandes joked about Martial's positional limbo - something which, in hindsight, potentially explains the motivation behind his eventual departure. READ MORE: Anthony Martial 'considering' options as two offers emerge after Manchester United exit READ MORE: Why Bruno Fernandes is set to get a new Manchester United contract despite current 2027 expiry date "With Marcus [Rashford], there is always that kind of joke with him and Anto [Anthony Martial]," Fernandes told United's website. "I say to them every time I pass to them, they never score. "They never give me assists.

You see again that Anto missed that chance against Leeds. Straight away, I looked at him and started smiling. He understands what I mean by that." Fernandes insisted the mickey-taking dynamic was "positive", and that trying to prove their team-mates wrong helped motivate the players.