Europe (UEFA)
Indonesia
Nigeria

Anthony Martial struggles on Sevilla debut as Man Utd loanee substituted

mirror.co.uk, 6 February 2022, 08:25
Manchester United loanee Anthony Martial had a Sevilla debut to forget as he was substituted in the second half of a 0-0 draw against Osasuna without having made any impact

Anthony Martial had a quiet debut as Sevilla were held to a damaging 0-0 draw by Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday evening.

The Manchester United loanee was handed a start by Julian Lopetegui but failed to make any impact whatsoever before being substituted in the 77th minute.

It was a game of few chances, but Sevilla were handed a golden opportunity to win it in the 90th minute when Jules Kounde was fouled in the box.

However, Ivan Rakitic's penalty was saved by Sergio Herrera as the visitors squandered the chance to cut Real Madrid 's lead at the top of the table to a single point ahead of their home game against Granada this evening.

Martial, who joined the Spanish side on loan from United on January 25, started on the left of Sevilla's front three alongside Oliver Torres and Youssef El-Nesyri.

The 26-year-old forward left United in search of regular game time after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

He was immediately granted his wish by Lopetegui, but he looked rusty in what was his first start in 74 days, since playing in United's 2-0 win over Villarreal on November 23.

Martial completed two of his four attempted dribbles and 33 of his 36 passes, but failed to get a single shot off and was dispossessed four times.

He was substituted for the closing stages and could only watch on as Rakitic saw his penalty saved in a dramatic finale which gives Real Madrid the chance to go six points clear with victory this evening.

It was a disappointing start for Martial, who pushed hard to leave United for Sevilla in the January transfer window.

"It [negotiations] hasn't been easy, but from the first day, I knew I wanted to come to Sevilla and we all worked for that to happen," he said after his unveiling.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Does Anthony Martial have a future at Manchester United? Comment below.

"The coach [Lopetegui] and the sporting director [Monchi] showed a strong interest in me and that's what convinced me to come here.

"They [Sevilla] wanted me in the past and we kept in touch. They contacted me recently and said I could help them."

He added: "I want to help the club achieve its aims. We have to be consistent in La Liga and do the best we can knowing that there are other big clubs that want to win the title."

"I have trained a lot in the past few months. I want to adapt as soon as possible to the team and connect well with my team-mates to help them reach the aims for the season. I'm ready to play."

Martial is likely to get another chance to impress against Elche on Friday before the first leg of Sevilla's last-16 Europa League tie against Dinamo Zagreb next week.

Top News

29 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Gil Vicente vs. Famalicao (Friday, 3.30pm) Gil Vicente and Famalicao get round 27 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga underway when they go head to head at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Friday. 29 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bristol City vs. Leicester (Friday, 12.30pm) Having been knocked off their Championship perch, an ailing Leicester City endeavour to reignite their title bid against Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Friday lunchtime. 29 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Vitoria de Guimaraes will be looking to move level with Braga in the Conference League qualification spot when they go head to head with Moreirense on Saturday. 29 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides who could do well with all three points go head to head in round 27 of the Primeira Liga as Estoril Praia play host to Porto at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Saturday. 29 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham boss Marco Silva has admitted he has spoken to Willian about his future with the club. 29 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly discovered the asking price of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes ahead of the summer transfer window. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atlanta United can maintain their 100% record at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday when they host the Chicago Fire in the final MLS encounter of the weekend. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly suffered a blow in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Xavi Simons, who has starred on loan at RB Leipzig this season. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to keep their faint hopes of European qualification alive, Freiburg will travel to Borussia Park to face Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England trio Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and Cole Palmer are among a number of players who could be potential beneficiaries if UEFA agree to increase national team squad sizes from 23 to 26 for Euro 2024. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa Women will welcome fellow Midlands side Leicester Women to the Bescot Stadium for Saturday's lunchtime kickoff. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly increasingly pessimistic about their chances of hiring top managerial candidate Xabi Alonso this summer. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Orlando City will go head-to-head with the New York Red Bulls in gamweek six of the MLS regular season at the Inter&Co Stadium in Florida on Sunday morning. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to keep their European hopes alive, Eintracht Frankfurt will welcome Union Berlin to Deutsche Bank Park on Saturday afternoon in the Bundesliga. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Unbeaten in their five Major League Soccer matches so far, Los Angeles entertain the challenge of Seattle Sounders at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City Women will continue their title bid with a trip to Prenton Park for Saturday's Women's Super League meeting with Liverpool Women. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to respond following a defeat prior to the international break, Hearts will welcome Europe-chasing Kilmarnock to Tynecastle Park on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham defender Calvin Bassey is expected to overcome an injury issue in time for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Sheffield United. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk RKC Waalwijk will be hoping to move outside of the Eredivisie's relegation zone by gaining a positive result against Heerenveen on Saturday. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Go Ahead Eagles could move up to sixth in the Eredivisie table by beating SBV Excelsior on Saturday. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to record back-to-back wins either side of the international break, Aberdeen will welcome Ross County to Pittodrie Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to be priced out of a move for Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk AZ Alkmaar will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches when they play host to Vitesse in Saturday's Eredivisie contest. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A blockbuster Premier League title showdown takes centre stage at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon as reigning champion Manchester City play host to leaders Arsenal. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City duo John Stones and Kyle Walker missed training on Thursday ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with title rivals Arsenal. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling generated the decibel level of boos that would normally be generated from the away end of Stamford Bridge when he miscued a free kick against Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals before the international break. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Champions League-chasing Aston Villa welcome fellow European hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers to Villa Park for a Premier League West Midlands derby on Saturday evening. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton will be looking to steer themselves away from the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolfsburg start life after Niko Kovac with a trip to face Werder Bremen at the Weserstadion in the Bundesliga on Saturday. 28 March 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nice are reportedly prepared to let Jean-Clair Todibo depart for £40m in the summer, alerting the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.