Manchester United fear Anthony Martial’s split from partner Samantha Jacquelinet is the reason for his dramatic slump in form this season

Anthony Martial split from Samantha Jacquelinet earlier this year
Jacquelinet is the mother of the couple’s baby daughter Peyton
Their parting followed allegations Martial had been unfaithful
Manchester United fear it’s the reason behind his poor form
Martial has scored just the one goal for United so far this season

Manchester United are concerned Anthony Martial’s turbulent private life is to blame for his alarming dip in form this season.

Martial came off the bench to break the deadlock against Stoke City at Old Trafford on Sunday, scoring with a wonderful curling effort in a game United eventually drew 1-1.

But it was the Frenchman’s first goal in nine games as he struggles to rediscover the scintillating form he showed after joining United in a £58million deal from Monaco last year.

However, Martial split from Samantha Jacquelinet, his partner of three years and mother of their baby daughter Peyton, earlier this year following allegations he had been unfaithful. They have since moved home to Paris, leaving Martial in Manchester.

The couple were together for three years, but Martial is now alone in Manchester

The 20-year-old forward endured a poor Euro 2016 in his homeland, playing just 68 minutes in France’s run to the final against Portugal, and suffered another setback in the summer when he had to give up his prized No 9 jersey to new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Martial started the first four games of the campaign for United but appeared to lack spark and confidence. He was dropped for the Manchester derby last month and has been in and out of the team since then.

United are understood to feel Martial has been unsettled by the split and subsequent distractions in his private life.

While there is no question about the striker’s ability, the feeling is that he needs to re-focus to make the most of his potential.

After Martial scored against Stoke, manager Jose Mourinho said: ‘He needs that. It was an amazing goal and a very good initiative. From an individual point of view it was obviously good for him.’