Anthony Martial’s wife has hit out at former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, saying the Frenchman ‘suffered’ during his time in charge.
The striker was often rotated by Mourinho following the Portuguese’s arrival at the club, where he took over from Louis van Gaal, who had signed Martial from Monaco.
The 24-year-old made 18 starts during the 2016/17 season, along with seven appearances off the bench, before making another 18 the following season, with 12 as a substitute.
And Melanie Da Cruz has said Martial’s lack of playing time under Mourinho began to affect their relationship.
“During our first two years together in Manchester, I experienced a very difficult period because Jose Mourinho did not play him (between 2016 and 2018),” Da Cruz told L'Equipe.
“In these cases, Anthony shuts himself out. You know he's suffering, but he doesn't say it. I felt trapped in my sense of injustice because, as a wife, you can't say anything (to the coach).
“We're just watching our man go down."
Da Cruz also revealed that the tension between Martial and Mourinho became so uncomfortable that she decided against attending some club events to avoid coming face to face with the manager.
"I was experiencing it so badly that I didn't go to certain events so as not to meet the coach,” she said.
But she said she refrained from criticising the now-Tottenham boss on social media, fearing that it would cause problems for Martial.
“No, never, because Anthony doesn't want (me) to," she said.
“You have to stay where you belong. On the other hand, when he came in and scored, I wanted to scream out of pride.”
