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Jose Mourinho has no problem with Anthony Martial's weekend in Paris

Anthony Martial (left) was 'free to go to Paris' during his time off, says Jose Mourinho
Image: Anthony Martial (left) was 'free to go to Paris' during his time off, says Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has no problem with Anthony Martial visiting Paris last weekend rather than watching his Manchester United team-mates against Stoke.

Martial was left out of Mourinho's squad for Saturday's Premier League draw at the Bet365 Stadium and was given permission to take some time off.

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Highlights of Manchester United's 1-1 draw away at Stoke last weekend

Reports have emerged that the France international spent his break from United duty in Paris, but Mourinho shrugged off any issues with the player and revealed more first-team regulars could be heading elsewhere while his side take on Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

"Normally, I take one of the (left out) players to prevent any problem in the warm-up," said Mourinho.

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"But we don't have many days off, so I like to give the (other) players some freedom to choose if they need a weekend off when they are not selected. If, for him, it was better to go to Paris, that's completely fine.

"For the weekend, if nothing happens in terms of injuries, I'm going to play (Sergio) Romero and put Joel (Castro Pereira) on the bench.

"David de Gea will be free and if he wants to go to Spain and enjoy two days, he has to go. I give the players this freedom of choice, so no problem at all with Anthony to go to Paris."

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Martial has struggled to replicate the form he showed in his first season at Old Trafford following a deadline day £36m move in summer 2015.

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Mourinho says he is grateful to have the support of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United

Mourinho recently said Martial needed to spend more time listening to him than his agent, and despite the 22-year-old's omission from the squad to face Stoke further fuelling speculation over his future, Mourinho insists the forward's problems are his own making.

"I don't think he lost his focus," said Mourinho. "I think 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."

Mourinho would not be drawn on the debate surrounding Arsene Wenger after the Arsenal boss was hit with a misconduct charge from the Football Association.

Wenger was pictured pushing fourth official Anthony Taylor after a heated exchange on the touchline.

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Arsene Wenger apologised for his actions after being sent to the stands against Burnley in the Premier League

Mourinho, who was pushed by Wenger in a touchline spat in 2014, served a stadium ban for his behaviour towards match officials while still at Chelsea last season. Mourinho's assistant Rui Faria was also hit with a six-match stadium ban - later reduced on appeal - in 2014.

But Mourinho said: "I never pushed the referee so I don't have a comparison. I have no idea. I cannot comment."

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