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Anthony Martial has flown to Paris for the birth of his son amid the growing belief the Frenchman has played his last competitive game for Manchester United.

It has not been confirmed if the 22-year-old was given permission to be at the side of his partner Melanie Da Cruz. But Jose Mourinho has already come to the conclusion Martial can leave the club, despite the

him this summer.

United's executive vice chairman is actively planning to trigger a 12-month option on Martial's contract that will tie him to Old Trafford until 2020.

But that is at odds with Mourinho's own intentions, which are to allow him to go and use the funds to boost his pursuit of a right winger, with Ivan Perisic, Willian and Gareth Bale all targets.

Martial has failed to convince Mourinho he can be a consistent performer at the highest level in two years working together.

The arrival of Alexis Sanchez in January, which saw him pushed further down the pecking order at Old Trafford, has convinced the forward to seek a move.

Despite United's hierarchy fearing he will go on to realise his potential elsewhere - as in the cases of Mo Salah and Kevin de Bruyne, who Mourinho sold during his time at Chelsea - it increasingly looks like they will have to relent.

Should he go, it will be a personal victory for Mourinho in what has been a frustrating summer.

He wanted the majority of his transfer business done before the World Cup started, but has been left desperately hoping to sign a centre back and a winger with just over two weeks left of the window.

The Portuguese wants Woodward to come up with the goods - ideally while the club are still here in the US - and he has been happy to go public with his demands.

Mourinho refused to comment on Tuesday when asked if his current squad was capable of challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title next season in what was seen.

That was seen as a clear message to United's board.

And in an interview with ESPN he added: "One thing is what I would like - another thing is what is going to happen.

"I would get two more players."

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