Manchester United warned against selling outcast Anthony Martial by Paul Scholes

Manchester United should not risk allowing Anthony Martial to leave the club despite manager Jose Mourinho showing little trust in the France international, according to former midfielder Paul Scholes.

Twenty-two-year-old Martial endured a difficult 2017-18 campaign at Old Trafford, completing a full 90 minutes in the Premier League just five times and failing to score in any of the final four months of the season.

The ex-Monaco hitman was subsequently omitted from Didier Deschamps France squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia this summer and has recently been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Juventus.

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Martial began his United career with 18 goals in his first season under Louis van Gaal yet his opportunities and form have dwindled under Mourinhos stewardship.

But Scholes – who made 718 appearances for the club across two spells – has urged United to be patient with Martial and award him a regular starting berth.

Id like to think hed stay, hes a young player and hes still got time to develop, said Scholes on BT Sport.

Whether his manager quite fancies him Im not too sure about that at the minute, hes not shown too much confidence in him.

I think hes a really good talent, as I say young, theres still time, I think he needs a bit of love he needs an arm around him.

He needs a consistent run of games, hes coming in and every time he comes on he impresses me – hes a player Id like to have in my team.

I just hope hes not one of those players that leaves and then we see the best of them. There is a danger.

Martials status in the pecking order was underlined when Mourinho waited until the 73rd minute to introduce him during the FA Cup final last Saturday, when United were chasing a goal to peg-back Antonio Contes Chelsea.

Marcus Rashford was selected to start the showcase final at Wembley, with an unfit Romelu Lukaku accompanying Martial onto the field with 17 minutes to go.

The Blues eventually prevailed thanks to a first-half Eden Hazard penalty to deliver their eighth FA Cup.

Martial will have plenty of time to ponder his future this summer after being left out of Deschamps 23-man squad for the World Cup, despite playing the friendly draw against Germany last March.

The embarrassment of riches at Deschamps disposal also led to Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette being overlooked, with Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann set to lead the line.

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They were good [in Novembers 2-2 friendly draw] against Germany, but the whole team were,” Deschamps said. “And its still a friendly match, even if its Germany.

I have had these two players in several situations, as starters and substitutes.

I have a complete analysis based on what they have shown me and the role they could have in the squad at the World Cup.

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Alex was injured in March, Anthony was back.

There is especially strong competition. I consider Giroud, Griezmann, Mbappe and Fekir as axial strikers, even if they can play in other positions.

;Just watch Mbappes performance in this position against Russia recently. I think there is no point in accumulating multiple players in the same position.

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