Anthony Martial left out by France for World Cup action

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Anthony Martial has been in stunning form for Manchester United this season
The Frenchman has five goals already this season including three in three games
He found the net as he scored United's second in their win over CSKA Moscow
But his form has not been enough for him to win a place in the France squad

Published: 08:49 EDT, 28 September 2017 | Updated: 08:54 EDT, 28 September 2017

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Anthony Martial's stunning run of form for Manchester United has not been enough for him to secure a spot in the France squad for their two vital World Cup qualifiers.

After starting the season facing a serious battle for minutes for a Manchester United side packed with talent, the former Monaco forward has scored five goals for the Red Devils including their second in the 4-1 Champions League victory over CSKA Moscow on Wednesday night.

But that was not enough to Didier Deschamps to recall him to the national team, with Martial winning the last of his 15 international caps against Holland last October.

Anthony Martial scored Manchester United's second goal in their victory over CSKA Moscow

Martial found the net from the spot to help United go on and win the contest 4-1

FRANCE SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Alphone Areola (PSG), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Barcelona), Christophe Jallet (Nice), Presnel Kimpembe (PSG), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Layvin Kurzawa (PSG), Djibril Sidibe (Monaco), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus), Adrien Rabiot (PSG), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal), Thomas Lemar (Monaco), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Dimitri Payet (Marseille), Florian Thauvin (Marseille).

Wins over Bulgaria and Belarus in their two games this October will secure France's place at next summer's World Cup, with Martial looking to prove over the coming months why he deserves to be on the plane to Russia.

Marseille's former West Ham star Dimitri Payet does return to a squad containing six English-based players, including Tottenham's Hugo Lloris, Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud and Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal and Chelsea's N'Golo Kante. Moussa Sissoko of Tottenham also keeps his place.

Martial left the win in Moscow early due to an apparent injury, but left both his manager Jose Mourinho and the assembled television pundits impressed by his display.

But his impressive recent form for United has not been enough for him to earn a France recall

Mourinho said: 'The game adapted to his qualities. He had lots of freedom and support with quality around him too. I'm happy. A goal is always important it's a pity that he couldn't play 90 mins as I was happy for him to do so.'

Speaking after the match on BT Sport, former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves added: 'I love him on the left. He's so positive. He looks an incredible talent and starting to hit those goals. His crossing is exceptional.'

Michael Owen, also formerly of Manchester United, had this to say: 'From the left he's really good.'