Erik ten Hag believes some Manchester United players were so affected by negative coverage surrounding the club it caused them to get injured.
The United manager told confidants the mentality of some infirm players is so flaky they cited criticism as a contributing factor to their absence for fixtures. Martial, who will be released by United in two weeks, never played for United again after the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on December 9. He was initially sidelined for more than a month through illness and then underwent groin surgery in late January. The 28-year-old was ruled out for ten weeks but did not reappear until early May.
A fit Martial was omitted from the FA Cup final squad against Manchester City and did not bother travelling to Wembley as a support player. Injured trio Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw were present at Wembley.