Rangnick stands by comments that Martial refused to play

FT Desk

• Updated: 18 Jan 2022 13:31 GMT
• 3 min read

Ralf Rangnick has refused to backtrack on his comments that Anthony Martial refused to play against Aston Villa but says that the matter is now resolved.

Following Man Utd’s 2-2 draw with Villa on Saturday, Rangnick told the media that Martial had refused to play.

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What did Rangnick say about Martial?

"He didn't want to be in the squad," replied Rangnick to a journalist who asked why the German manager had named one less substitute on his bench and two goalkeepers.

"He would have been in the squad normally but he didn't want to and that was the reason why he didn't travel with us yesterday (Friday)."

What did Martial say about Rangnick?

This was angrily denied by Martial, who posted a message on social media insisting that this wasn’t true and that he has never refused to play for the club.

"I will never refuse to play a match for Man Utd," he sniped

"I've been here for seven years and I never disrespected and will never disrespect the club and the fans."

Rangnick’s latest comments

Ahead of Man Utd’s trip to Brentford on Wednesday, Rangnick has refused to backtrack on his comments following Martial’s denials.

But the Man Utd manager says that the matter is now resolved after discussions with the Frenchman.

"I'm here now for six weeks, all the things that need to be said I said after the press conference," Rangnick said.

"I had a conversation with him on Sunday, a personal conversation with him about what happened and how I saw the whole situation, the matter is now resolved.

"He didn't train yesterday and the day before yesterday. He will probably train today and after training, I will then take the decision if he is nominated or not. But let's see what will happen then."

Martial has asked to leave the club this month having not played since the start of December.

Man Utd are open to letting him go on loan but are not willing as of now to subsidise any of his wages.

Sevilla, Barcelona and Juventus are all interested.