Jose Mourinho tells Anthony Martial to be more consistent after dazzling assist in Manchester United's clash with Real Madrid: 'He's a young player and he still has time to learn'

Jose Mourinho urged Anthony Martial to show more consistency after the France winger dazzled in Manchester United's win over Real Madrid on penalties in Santa Clara.

Martial provided a piece of sublime skill to beat two players and set up United's opening goal for Jesse Lingard at the Levi's Stadium.

But he then skied the opening attempt of the penalty shootout well over the bar as United scraped home 2-1 against the European champions.

Anthony Martial celebrates with Jesse Lingard after setting up Manchester United's opener

Anthony Martial celebrates with Jesse Lingard after setting up Manchester United's opener

Jose Mourinho praised Martial after the win over Real Madrid but asked for more consistency

Jose Mourinho praised Martial after the win over Real Madrid but asked for more consistency

Martial produced a dazzling piece of skill to provide the assist for the grateful Lingard

Martial produced a dazzling piece of skill to provide the assist for the grateful Lingard

It seemed to sum up Martial's career at United. Up one minute, down the next. Mourinho, who criticised the 21-year old on several occasions last season, believes he has to produce his best form on a more regular basis.


'Obviously we want more consistency in his talent,' said Mourinho. 'I think today was positive for him, that's why I left him on the pitch for 90 minutes. He was enjoying and trying things, and it's important to try things in these friendly matches. So it's good for Anthony and his confidence.

'He a young player and he still has time to learn, still time to improve, still time to develop. It's also his personality. I can say he is training better than before, he's working harder than before, it's a question to bring his talent more in a consistent way.'

It wasn't a classic and the 67,000-capacity arena was only two thirds for a fixture that drew 109,000 supporters when these two teams met in Michigan three years ago.

There is no doubt that high ticket prices have hit attendances in LA, Salt Lake City and Santa Clara on United's current tour, but Mourinho was at a loss to explain why there wasn't a full house to watch two of the biggest clubs in world football.

Mourinho said Martial still has plenty of time to improve as a player for United

Mourinho said Martial still has plenty of time to improve as a player for United

'I don't know what to say,' he added. 'Sunday the best day, a family holiday in July, the price of tickets, I don't know. (Cristiano) Ronaldo not here, I don't know what to say.

'I say that I think the people enjoyed it and a penalty shootout is something very American. They like this kind of decision, so I think it was not bad for the crowd.'

United fly to Washington DC straight after the game to prepare for their final match on tour against Barcelona. Mourinho's side then play two more friendlies, against Sampdoria in Dublin and Valerenga, before facing Madrid again in the European Super Cup on August 8.

The United boss is happy with the arrangements in America which has seen his squad based in LA for the majority of their stay. He hopes that the ankle injury sustained by Juan Mata against Real Salt Lake and the knock that forced Ander Herrera to limp off just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute against Real will not be too serious.

Mourinho suggested the modest crowd in Santa Clara might have been caused by the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo from the Madrid squad for the International Champions Cup clash

Mourinho suggested the modest crowd in Santa Clara might have been caused by the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo from the Madrid squad for the International Champions Cup clash

He said: 'For us, not a lot of travelling. We manage to organise the pre-season where we were based in LA for 15 days, which is fantastic always to be in the same hotel, training ground.

'The flights were quiet and short and now we are on our way back home, so now we go to DC which is halfway home almost. In jet lag, it's halfway home.

'These next three days in DC is not a problem and are a good thing for us on our way back. And then we have two more matches to play in Norway and Ireland. Two short matches on the day.

'And if Mata and Ander are not a real problem in terms of injuries I would say a perfect pre-season for us.' 

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