How Martial's decision to stay for son's birth left Mourinho furious at Man United

Anthony Martial was fined two weeks’ wages — £180,000 — and publicly rebuked by Jose Mourinho after leaving Manchester United’s 2018 pre-season tour of the United States to be present for the birth of his second child and then remaining in France during his partner’s recovery.

Mourinho had expected the French forward to return for friendlies against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich after missing a 4-1 defeat by Liverpool in Chicago. When Martial did not appear, the United manager made his frustration clear in a post-match interview, saying the squad would be “in trouble” at the start of the season and pointedly praising Marcus Rashford and Phil Jones for returning early from their holidays.

Martial was unapologetic. In a message posted to social media at the time, he wrote: “My little girl is fine, for the mum it was harder but thank god she is better now. Sorry but my family will always come first. Back tomorrow in Manchester.”

The episode was not an isolated flashpoint between the two. Speaking to France Football in 2022, Martial revealed the relationship had soured almost from the moment Mourinho arrived at Old Trafford in 2016, when the manager stripped him of the No. 9 shirt and handed it to new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Mourinho’s message to Martial suggested the No. 11 — previously worn by Ryan Giggs — was an equally prestigious alternative, but the gesture did little to smooth relations.

Martial went on to spend eight years at United before departing on a free transfer in 2024. He is currently playing for Monterrey in Mexico.