Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho issues hands-off warning to Inter Milan over Anthony Martial
Mourinho adamant French forward will not be used as a make-weight in any deal that might bring Ivan Perisic to Old Trafford
JOSE MOURINHO is adamant Anthony Martial is not leaving Old Trafford.
That scuppers any hopes Inter Milan had of including the Manchester United forward as a make-weight in a deal for Ivan Perisic.
Instead, United could be left paying a straight £50million in a cash deal for the Croatia international winger.
It had been reported that Martial had agreed to join Inter as part of any Perisic deal.
But progress stalled with the clubs unable to agree a fee.
Now Mourinho is in no doubt over his plans for Frenchman Martial this season.
He said: “Everybody’s in the plan — the plan is to have a good squad, not a good team, a good squad with options.
“We need options and different players. Lukaku, Martial and Rashford are all different and we need everybody, and it’s going to be good.”
Martial’s time at Old Trafford got off to a flying start under Louis van Gaal but his development stalled last term following Mourinho’s appointment.
He was criticised publicly by the Special One and saw his game time limited after a run of poor form.
Mourinho is known for prioritising short-term gains over player development and a loan deal may suit Martial in the long run.
The forward, 21, would be all-but guaranteed first-team football in Serie A, while United would benefit from 28-year-old Perisic’s experience.
Mourinho, meanwhile, has bought central Victor Lindelof, striker Romelu Lukaku and defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic so far this summer as he prepares for a dual assault on the Premier League and Champions League.
