Anthony Martial Upset With Omission Against Stoke as Jose Mourinho Relationship Becomes Strained

​Manchester United forward Anthony Martial's relationship with Jose Mourinho has become strained after the Frenchman was omitted from the Red Devils' squad against Stoke City.

The 21-year-old was left out of the 18 players selected for the 1-1 draw, and there have been rumours that he could leave the club on loan after failing to impress during the first half of the season.

Martial looked to have returned to form towards the end of 2016, having scored twice in the EFL Cup tie against West Ham United as well as a Premier League strike against Middlesbrough on New Year's Eve and an FA Cup goal against Reading earlier in January.

The Daily Mail report Martial is currently upset after failing to make the cut for the game against Stoke, reportedly not being given an explanation for the omission. Mourinho deflected questions regarding the former Monaco man after the game, simply stating he 'was not selected.'

Mourinho was said to be unhappy with Martial's performance against Liverpool, during which he was well shackled by teenage defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was making his first Premier League start for United's bitter rivals.

Martial is now underused in United's team in comparison to last season, during which he scored 17 goals in all competitions after a £36m switch from Monaco. Having impressed under Louis van Gaal last year, Martial saw his No 9 stripped off him and handed to new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the beginning of the season and is now said to be entertaining potential loan offers.

His agent Philippe Lamboley suggested Martial may be interested in a temporary move to La Liga Sevilla, but a potential departure is unlikely given the recent sale of Memphis Depay to Lyon.

Martial has made 13 Premier League appearances so far this season, scoring twice and contributing three assists.