Rio Ferdinand tells Man Utd board to step in and ‘shut down’ Anthony Martial if he is lying about refusing to play

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has urged the board to ‘shut down’ wantaway striker Anthony Martial if he did indeed refuse to play for the club.

Interim gaffer Ralf Rangnick revealed after Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa that the French forward was unwilling to be part of the travelling matchday squad.

Getty

Anthony Martial wasn’t involved in the matchday squad that drew against Aston Villa on Saturday[/caption]

PA

Ralf Rangnick stated that Martial turned down the chance travel with the squad to the Midlands[/caption]

Speaking of his absence following the disappointing result at Villa Park, the German gaffer said: “He didn’t want to be in the squad.

“He would have been in the squad normally, but he didn’t want to.

“That is the reason why he was not travelling with us yesterday [on Friday].”

His comments prompted an angry response from Martial, with the 26-year-old taking to social media to deny Rangnick’s claims.

The Juventus and Barcelona target wrote on his Instagram story: “I will never refuse to play a match for Man United.

“I’ve been here for seven years and I never disrespected and will never disrespect the club and the fans.”

BT Sport

Rio Ferdinand believes United must get to the bottom of whether Martial refused to play or not[/caption]

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And now Ferdinand has had his say on the matter after Rangnick and Martial held showdown talks.

Speaking on the Vibe with Five YouTube channel, Ferdinand remarked: “Do you know what? That situation there is a perfect example for the hierarchy of that football club.

“If Martial isn’t telling the truth there – and I’m not casting any dispersions – but if he’s not telling the truth when he says he’s never refused to play or disrespected the club, if he did refuse then someone at that football club needs to come out and absolutely put this to bed.

“They need to give pure clarity, put a line in the sand, put a flag down and say, ‘this is us and this is where we’re at’.

“At the moment, Rangnick has come out with what he said and Martial responded and basically said the manager is lying.

“Someone better come out today or tomorrow and say something. You can’t have a player coming out and belittling what you say. No chance.

“He needs to get shut down if it’s true. If Rangnick is right, there’s no way any player should be allowed to speak like that.

“I don’t understand it. Manchester United can’t allow players to talk like that. There’s a truth and a false in this situation and I want to know.”

Martial, who has made it clear to Rangnick that he wishes to depart the Theatre of Dreams this month, has featured in just seven top-flight games this term.

He hasn’t appeared for United since his short two minute cameo in the 3-2 win against Arsenal on December 2.

The Les Bleus international is yet to play under Rangnick since he took charge following the victory over the Gunners.

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