United's Martial annoyed at bench role

Anthony Martial's second season at Manchester United hasn't gone according to plan.

Though he's played more for United recently, the 21-year-old told French television he's upset with the amount of game time manager Jose Mourinho has afforded him thus far.

Starting seven of 16 Premier League matches, however, Martial has failed to find the kind of consistency that made him so successful last campaign.

"It's annoying to be on the bench. It's truly annoying but it's a test you have to overcome, and that's how you progress," the Frenchman told SFR Sport, as reported by the Guardian's Mark Dobson, prior to Saturday's trip to West Brom. "It's difficult because all you want is to be able to help the team and, when you're on the bench, you can't. But these are choices and you have to accept it."

Life under Louis van Gaal was much sweeter for Martial: He scored 17 goals across all competitions and offered an offensive spark to an otherwise lacklustre side following his £38.5-million transfer from AS Monaco.

But things changed over the past few months. Summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic is now an immovable force in Mourino's XI, Juan Mata has fought his way into the lineup, and a declining Wayne Rooney features regularly. Couple those obstacles with Henrikh Mkhitaryan's increasing involvement, as well as Marcus Rashford's rotational play, and it's easy to see why Martial is no longer the main man.

His versatility could still give him a chance to break through - Martial can play as a No. 9 and on the wings - and he's aware he still has lots of time.

"People expect a lot of me but sometimes they forget I'm still young," he added. "Everyone can think what they want. It won't change anything."