Thursday 26 January 2017 22:12, UK
Gary Neville has advised Anthony Martial to "show his love for the game" in order to revive his Manchester United career.
Martial was omitted from the United squad which drew 1-1 at Stoke on Saturday, with manager Jose Mourinho confirming the forward had been given permission to take a break.
The omission was the latest setback in a testing season for the France international, who has struggled to replicate the goalscoring exploits of his debut season at Old Trafford.
Martial has scored just six goals in 21 appearances this term, and United legend Neville believes the 21-year-old is yet to reach his full potential, although he hopes Mourinho's actions will act as a wake-up call.
"He's only achieving a very small part of his potential," Neville said on Twitter. "He ranges from sensational to disinterested. Let's hope he gets going now.
"He has the talent to become a very special player. He needs to show his love for the game and display that in his performances.
"I like him but, like others, I want to see him realise his potential."
Mourinho publicly accused Martial of failing to grasp several opportunities to produce in Manchester United's first team when called upon.
He has the talent to become a very special player but he's only achieving a very small part of his potential. He needs to show his love for the game and display that in his performances.
The former Chelsea boss stopped short of claiming Martial had lost focus, but explained the competition for places at Old Trafford was so intense that he had pursue other options.
"I don't think he lost his focus," Mourinho said in his pre-match press conference. "He just didn't catch with both hands a big opportunity he had.
"We have still five players for these positions. I cannot give to one player chances to play and kill the others.
"I cannot give to the same player chance after chance after chance and not consider the effort of the others. I have to take people out of the team. That's simple."
