Julen Lopetegui's Anthony Martial warning gives insight into future amid Manchester United links

Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui has previously highlighted the importance of Manchester United loanee Anthony Martial performing to a high level during his loan spell away from Old Trafford.

Lopetegui has been linked with the manager's role at United after reports suggested he was among the list of candidates alongside Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino. Martial has been on loan at the La Liga outfit since the end of January but he has failed to turn his fortunes around and was jeered by fans last weekend.

During Sevilla's stalemate with Real Sociedad, he was hauled off shortly after the hour mark. Having started in all of his first four games at the club - grabbing a goal and an assist in those outings - he was forced to miss a few weeks through injury and has failed to notch a single goal contribution since his return.

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Following Martial's debut, Lopetegui fired a warning at the Frenchman, saying: "On Martial, I think that he can adapt to different roles. He can play through the middle, on the left wing or behind the striker. Getting him in the right position is important but what I think is more important is his performance and this is something he can give in every position.

The Europa League specialists were dumped out of the competition after they were downed by West Ham last week. With recent reports suggesting Lopetegui could be in the running to become the permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, question marks remain over Martial's future at both his temporary club and his parent club.

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