Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 6y

Anthony Martial wants to play more at Manchester United

Anthony Martial has said he would like to start more games for Manchester United but added that he is happier at Old Trafford than he was last season.

Martial's performances for United this season have earned a recall to the France squad for friendlies against Wales and Germany, but all of his four Premier League goals have come when he has been a substitute.

He has only started consecutive games once this season as he has shared duties with Marcus Rashford, and he told SFR Sport: "It's easier to start the game.

"When you come off the bench, the other players are warmed up, they're totally in the game, and you have to get into it straight away. I prefer to start the game, I have more time to get myself into the game.

"I have faith in my qualities, and I think the manager has confidence in me, too, so it's up to me to continue putting in good performances, and if I do that, I think I'll play a bit more."

He added: "We all prefer to play, even if at United when I come off the bench, I make a difference. I prefer to start games and show what I'm capable of.

"When you score and you're a forward, you're happy. It's going well. Even though I'm a substitute, I play often.

"I've played three, two games in the Champions League, I play one game in two. It's going well. I'd like to play more -- that's going to come through my performances."

Martial occasionally found himself axed from Jose Mourinho's squad last season with the coach accusing him of failing to take opportunities to impress.

The 21-year-old was linked with a January move to Sevilla -- something else that irked Mourinho -- and a summer transfer to Tottenham, but Martial insists he's "very happy" in Manchester now he back in the manager's good books.

"I feel a lot better this season, and I hope I'm going to continue like that," he said.

"If I'm with the squad, you'll see I'm one of the first to have a laugh. But outside of that, I'm reserved, I don't show my emotions too much. Even if you don't see me smile, I'm still very happy.

"I have to concentrate more, I have to give everything, not hold anything back, really give everything. I think that will be how things will go well."

ESPN FC's France correspondent, Ian Holyman, contributed to this report.

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