Mourinho tells Martial to forget transfer talk

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Anthony Martial helped Manchester United beat Middlesbrough but Jose Mourinho says the France international must listen to him to flourish.

Jose Mourinho says Anthony Martial must pay no attention to his agent if he is to hit the heights at Manchester United.

Martial seized his opportunity in the side against Middlesbrough on Saturday, scoring the first in a two-minute, two-goal turnaround that saw off Aitor Karanka's men 2-1 late on at Old Trafford.

The France international has found himself in and out of Mourinho's side this season and the striker's agent, Philippe Lamboley, has been talking up a January move for his client, claiming that talks with Sevilla over a loan move are in progress.

But Mourinho says Martial should pay more attention to him if he wants to become a star, citing Henrikh Mkhitaryan's turnaround from outcast to key player as proof that the Portuguese's way is best.

Mourinho said: "He played, he created, he scored, he fought. I think he was very positive. 

"I know that he is a top talent. I knew Mkhitaryan was a top talent and I was not playing him. 

"In this moment he plays even left back when the team is winning and needs to defend with a little bit more balance. 

"So Anthony has to listen to me and not listen to his agent. He has to listen to me. 

"He has to listen to me in training every day and in every feedback I give to try to improve players. 

"But the Mkhitaryan process I was having almost every day Mkhitaryan’s agent calling me and saying Mkhitaryan with you will be a better player, keep going. 

"And with Martial every day I read the newspaper: Martial goes to Sevilla, Martial goes on loan, Martial is not happy.

"Martial has to listen to me. He's a player with amazing conditions to be a top player."