Anthony Martial denies he refused to play as his Manchester United career turns sour

The Frenchman didn't want to be involved against Aston Villa on Saturday, according to interim manager Ralf Rangnick

Manchester United's Anthony Martial applauds fan as he walks off the pitch at half-time, during the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton, at Old Trafford.

Anthony Martial's Manchester United career appears to be coming to an acrimonious end.

The striker was not involved in the 2-2 Premier League draw with Aston Villa on Saturday evening - with interim manager Ralf Rangnick claiming the Frenchman refused to be part of the squad.

However, Martial has taken to social media to deny Rangnick's claims.

What did Rangnick say about Martial?

He said the 26-year-old did not want to travel to Villa Park with the rest of the squad as he is pushing for a January exit from United.

“Yes, he didn’t want to be in the squad,” Rangnick said.

“He would have been in the squad normally but he didn’t want to and that’s the reason why he was not travelling with us yesterday.”

United took to the match with only eight substitutes - including two goalkeepers - when nine are permitted.

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Aston Villa vs Manchester United player ratings

ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez 5 - The Argentina international is normally very reliable, but his mistake for the first goal is something you don’t expect to see in the Premier League; fumbling a long shot under his legs to leave Villa with it all to do. Getty Images

Lucas Digne 6 - The former Everton man was bright up the left flank and got in a good volume of crosses into the box, though they could have been more accurate in some moments. A fair debut overall. PA

Tyrone Mings 7 - Enjoyed a strong battle with Mason Greenwood and had to match his pace on a number of occasions. A solid defensive display. PA

Ezri Konsa 6 - A disappointing half-time exit for Konsa who tried to play on through injury, but was replaced by Hause at the break. AP Photo

Matty Cash 8 - Smart runs overlapping from fullback caused problems for Manchester United, and the Poland international was close to getting an assist just after the hour mark. A great all-round performance. Getty Images

Jacob Ramsey 9 - The young midfielder took his goal in the manner of a prime striker, finding space inside the box and smashing home past David De Gea. He then got a crucial assist for the equaliser to cap off an inspired performance by the 20-year-old. AFP

Douglas Luiz 6 - Anchored in front of the defence and transitioned the ball forwards to Villa’s creative sparks. Could have been quicker to the ball at times. Reuters

Morgan Sanson 5 - The 27-year-old kept things relatively simple and broke up play well before a costly error at a crucial time saw him dispossessed by Fred for Bruno Fernandes’ second goal of the game. Getty Images

Emiliano Buendia 7 - Played direct with intent throughout the match, and the midfielder got his rewards with a defence-splitting pass that presented the cutback for Coutinho’s goal. AP Photo

Danny Ings 6 - Struggled at times to make things happen and didn’t seem to be able to get a shot off, but he kept harassing the Manchester United defence, leading his team’s press. AFP

Ollie Watkins 7 - Worked tirelessly across the front line and was instructed to run at defenders with the ball, and that opened up space for Villa on occasions, including in the build up to one of the goals. Getty Images

SUB: Kortney Hause (Konsa 46) 6 - Didn’t have too much to do when introduced - and that’s normally a good thing for a centre-back. Getty Images

SUB: Philippe Coutinho (Sanson (68) 8 - Bright on the ball and linked play quickly that forced Fred to make a challenge for the first goal, and he then got on the scoresheet himself - finishing calmly at the backpost from a cutback. A promising debut for Steven Gerrard's side. PA

SUB: Carney Chukwuemeka (Ings 76) - Came on and was involved in a goal right away, linking up with Coutinho before the ball found Ramsey. Reuters

MANCHESTER UNITED: David de Gea 7. Nothing to do in the first third of the game, then a quick reaction save off a Buendia a corner, then another with his knees from Digne just before half time. Full stretch save from Ramsey on 48 minutes. Excellent positioning and reactions. More saves than any goalkeeper in the league this season. AFP

Diogo Dalot 6. Suffered a ridiculous challenge from Digne, but another bright performer. Alert to intercept a ball which led to United’s second goal. PA

Victor Lindelof 6. First league start in four matches and three key challenges and clearances as Villa pushed for an equaliser at the start of second half but could have done better for Villa’s second goal. Reuters

Raphael Varane 7. United fans may have sung about former central defender Jaap Stam, but Varane was such a good player and secure presence in central defence … until Villa’s second goal, when he was too slow and couldn’t get to the cross. PA

Alex Telles 6. Took the free-kick by tapping the ball to Fernandes to set up the opener. Super cross towards Cavani on 18 minutes. Less of an impact in the second half. AP Photo

Nemanja Matic 6. Started with McTominay suspended. Booked to stop Danny Ings making a rare Villa attack. Beaten to a header by Buendia and fortunate not to get a second yellow on 48 minutes. A good shot, but bypassed by a resurgent Villa and Gerrard’s smart second half substitutions which exploited the space around him. AFP

Fred 6. Well out of his usual position on the edge of the Villa area, but none of his teammates complained as he laid off the ball for Bruno to strike United’s second. Inadvertently set up Villa’s goal and was then in a midfield that was second best after Villa’s changes. The lack of control would cost. AP Photo

Mason Greenwood 7. Closed down by goalkeeper Martinez when he shot a Telles’ cross. Excellent run forward on 20 minutes and shot wide after 27. Another run and shot wide on 61 minutes, then faded like his team, but lots of encouraging football. PA

Bruno Fernandes 8. Took United’s 100th corner of the season – they’ve resulted in zero goals. But he did score with a clever direct effort which went straight through the legs of Martinez. Ran the show in the first half hour. Booked on 46 minutes. Always tried the forward pass, even if they didn’t reach a man. Scored United’s second with a cracking finish. PA

Anthony Elanga 7. First league start of the season and he started it well on the left, stretching Villa. Hammered by Matt Cash in a 40th minute tackle, had United’s first shot on target. Ran across Villa back three and shot wide again on 59 minutes. AP Photo

Edinson Cavani 5. Almost got on a Telles cross, then came deep and lost ball which led to Villa’s first attack. Frequently came deep as he worked hard. Tired by the end, yet was still kept on for the duration. AP Photo

SUB: Jadon Sancho NA. On for Elanga on 77. Quickly disposed by Cash for a resurgent Villa. Did nothing. Again. AP Photo

SUB: Donny Van de Beek NA. On for Greenwood on 88. Turned and had a 95th minute shot. Reuters

SUB: Jesse Lingard NA. On for Fernandes on 88. Too little time to make a proper impact. Getty Images

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And how has Martial responded?

As Premier League footballers do these days, he has posted a message on Instagram.

He wrote: “I will never refuse to play a match for Man United. I’ve been here for 7 years and I never disrespected and will never disrespect the club and the fans.”

Anthony Martial's Instagram response.

He wants to leave Manchester United, right?

Yes, it was confirmed by the club last month that Martial was seeking an exit from Old Trafford.

Rangnick said the pair had "spoken at length" about the situation.

“He explained to me he’s been at Manchester United now for the last seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else.

“I think in a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.

“We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions and want to be as successful as we can be.”

Martial became the world’s most expensive teenager when United signed him from Monaco in September 2015.

How has Martial performed this season?

Like for many of his teammates, it hasn't been a great season so far for Martial, whose contract expires in June 2024.

He has started just two games in the Premier League and made five appearances as a substitute. His only goal came against Everton.

His opportunities have been limited amid the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho in attack and he's been linked with a move to the likes of Barcelona and Newcastle United.

There were high hopes for Martial at United, but he has never quite fulfilled his potential despite 79 goals during his time at the club.