Manchester United fear Anthony Martial’s personal problems are behind his poor form this season

MANCHESTER UNITED fear Anthony Martial's poor form this season is down to eight months of turbulence in the striker's love life.

Martial has looked a shadow of the player who made an instant impact at Old Trafford last season following his £58million signing from Monaco.

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His goal in the 1-1 draw against Stoke last weekend was his first this season as the 20-year-old struggles to produce his best displays under Jose Mourinho.

And United are worried a series of off-field issues which have ended up seeing his long-term partner and baby daughter move to Paris are at the root of his slump.

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Things began to turn sour for the 20-year-old after it was revealed how he had flown a former X-Factor contestant to Paris for a weekend behind his partner Samantha Jacquelinet's back.

The Sun on Sunday revealed how he had whisked former air hostess Emily Wademan away to the French capital for a night of passion.

Samantha eventually decided the three-year relationship was over, and moved back to France with baby daughter Peyton.

She claims Martial's whole attitude changed when he made his move to United from Monaco in the summer of 2015.

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And his former girlfriend also went on the attack when she branded his new girlfriend Melanie Da Cruz as 'disgusting' after it emerged the TV presenter had started dating Martial.

While Martial's personal problems have been played out in public, his form on the pitch appears to have suffered.

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Big things were expected of him during Euro 2016, but Martial was one of the big disappointments for France as he struggled to find his rhythm and form.

That sluggishness appears to have carried over to the first two months of this season, with Martial finding it difficult to establish himself in Mourinho's side.

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The manager is understood to be a huge fan of Martial and his ability, but the performances he has turned in this season have hardly warranted a regular start.

United now hope the goal he scored against Stoke will help kick-start his season and bring a smile back to the youngster's face.