Anthony Martial benefiting from Manchester United's 'French Connection', says Jose Mourinho
The forward has enjoyed a positive start to the new campaign
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Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho has claimed Anthony Martial is benefiting from Manchester United’s “French connection” and has backed the player to reach his full potential at the club.
The 21-year-old scored in United’s 4-0 demolition of Swansea on Saturday - his second goal in as many games - and continues to impress for the side following a series of notable performances in the off-season.
Questions have been previously raised over the Frenchman’s place at Old Trafford but, speaking in the wake of Saturday’s victory at the Liberty Stadium, Mourinho suggested Martial is moving in the right direction as a player and cited the side’s French-speaking contingent as a factor behind his recent improvements.
"Anthony Martial is working hard, he is confident” Mourinho said.
“The French language connection is there to help him a lot and get to the level we know he can be because the potential is huge."
The Portuguese added after Saturday’s victory that his side are playing with “happiness”.
"Happiness in our play. It happened to me so much with my teams, you winning 1-0 and you can concede. There was no need to close the door, just let the horses run freely.
"I felt in control, if you had a chance to look at me and my body language I think you could see that. Football is football and when you make a mistake you can concede so I never felt totally relaxed. I had players on the bench who could help me."
Paul Pogba, who scored and provided an assist against Swansea, echoed his manager’s sentiment.
"We've had a very good result, 4-0 again with a clean sheet. We want to carry on this road.
"We are more confident [than last season]. We know each other more. We work for each other and I think that is easier for us."
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