Man Utd star hit back at manager after £180,000 fine for abandoning pre-season
Former Manchester United player Anthony Martial faced a significant fine and public criticism from manager Jose Mourinho after extending his leave during a 2018 pre-season tour. Martial defended his decision, prioritizing his family during the birth of his child.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between professional sports obligations and the personal lives of high-profile athletes.
Former Manchester United favourite Anthony Martial once found himself in hot water with Jose Mourinho after failing to return for pre-season training. Martial, 30, departed United's summer tour of the United States in 2018 to be by his partner's side for the birth of his second child. Mourinho was left stunned, however, when his former player chose to remain in France with his family. The fallout saw Martial hit with a £180,000 fine, equivalent to two weeks' wages, and subjected to public criticism from his old manager. Martial, who eventually departed United on a free transfer in 2024, missed a 4-1 friendly defeat to Liverpool in Chicago that summer, yet was expected to rejoin the squad for fixtures against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Instead, he opted to extend his time away to support his partner throughout her recovery. FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE!
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