Anthony Martial has revealed Ralf Rangnick promised him game time after watching him in Manchester United training, yet that wasn't enough to keep him on board.
The Frenchman joined Sevilla on loan in January - scoring once in his six appearances to date - and is hoping to beat Premier League outfit, West Ham, in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Sevilla won the first leg 1-0.
Martial struggled for minutes during the first half of the season under Rangnick and his predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - starting just two Premier League games - and was determined to make a fresh start in Seville when the opportunity came calling.
"I asked United to leave because I wanted to play," Martial told the Daily Mail. "I still have a contract but they know what I want, so we will see at the end of the season. "When he [Rangnick] arrived, my objective was to leave. I told him I wanted to leave and that's it. He talked to me and said, 'If you want to stay, with the way you train you will play if you keep training like that.' But I wanted to have a new atmosphere and a new club."
On his United exit, Martial added: "For me, it was the best option to play and enjoy football again. I lost it a little bit in Manchester because I was not playing. I feel very good in Sevilla. The city is very good and we are a good team so, for me, it's perfect. I'm playing so I'm happy. But I'm here just until the end of the season and that's it."
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Martial appeared to fall out with Rangnick before his departure, with the German coach suggesting he "didn't want to be in the squad" for a game against Aston Villa. "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," added Rangnick.
The forward responded to Rangnick's claims on Instagram. "I will never refuse to play a match for Man Utd," he wrote. "I've been here for seven years and I [have] never disrespected and will never disrespect the club and the fans."
Martial did play again for United before his departure and, according to ESPN, Rangnick is willing to fix their relationship. Although the manager's contract is temporary, he will start a two-year consultancy gig in the summer and have a say on the team's future.
Martial has also admitted he "lost it a little bit" at United due to his lack of game time but is happy in Sevilla. "For me, it [joining Sevilla] was the best option to play and enjoy football again," he added. "I lost it a little bit in Manchester because I was not playing. I feel very good in Sevilla. The city is very good and we are a good team so, for me, it's perfect. I'm playing so I'm happy. But I'm here just until the end of the season and that's it."
On whether he wants to prove his English critics wrong, Martial said: "I'm just going there to win and help the team qualify. I don't care what people say about me. Really."
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