Anthony Martial admits he lost his enjoyment of football at Manchester United and says he feels ‘good’ at Sevilla.
Martial signed on loan for Sevilla in January after a frustrating period in the Premier League, with the forward having made just two league starts across the opening half of the 2021/22 campaign.
The 26-year-old became a target for criticism during the latter part of his spell with the Red Devils, though insists his sullen demeanour on the pitch is not reflective of his personality off it.
“It’s just because people don’t really know me,” he told the Mail ahead of Sevilla’s Europa League clash with West Ham.
“Sometimes you see me and I’m not smiling, but in life ask everyone: I’m always smiling.
“It doesn’t reflect how I feel because on the pitch I try to do my best. I’m not smiling but I’m just focused. People can think what they want, it’s okay for me.”
Martial opened up on his desire to leave Manchester United during the January transfer window, having become a peripheral figure at Old Trafford.
The France international admits he lost the enjoyment of playing football before joining Sevilla, though it is expected the loan arrangement – in which he has scored once in six appearances – will not be extended beyond the end of the season.
“I asked United to leave because I wanted to play,” he said. “I still have a contract but they know what I want, so we will see at the end of the season.
“When he [Rangnick] arrived, my objective was to leave. I told him I wanted to leave and that’s it. He talked to me and said, ‘If you want to stay, with the way you train you will play if you keep training like that.’ But I wanted to have a new atmosphere and a new club.”
“For me, it was the best option to play and enjoy football again. I lost it a little bit in Manchester because I was not playing.
“I feel very good in Sevilla. The city is very good and we are a good team so, for me, it’s perfect. I’m playing so I’m happy.
“But I’m here just until the end of the season and that’s it.”
