As
@Dante rightly pointed out, the Chelsea side Mourinho built (that we toppled in Moscow) was a team that could manage itself. There was a grit, a personality throughout the team that meant they were capable of winning anything. It takes an incredible manager to assemble something like that, those qualities certainly weren't there when he arrived, but they survived him.
I don't actually believe Mourinho thinks Martial is the problem, I think he knows the problem is the balance of the team, the "only 11 players" issue Mourinho talks about. Martial's been an unfortunate victim of failings elsewhere. I'm not saying Martial couldn't do more, or that it's been entirely outside his ability to influence, but I don't think he's the problem, and I don't think Mourinho is a poor manager so I'm sure he sees the all positive things Martial contributes. The issue isn't necessarily what Mourinho expects from individual positions, it's what he feels he needs (first, before what he wants) from his team, and if the fullbacks are lacking, then he needs wingers or midfielders who cover those discrepancies.
Sidenote: You don't turn down the chance to swap Sanchez for Mkhitaryan. Sanchez is a quality player with a similar mentality to those in that great Chelsea team. Let's not have this discussion that Mourinho signed Sanchez to take Martial's place in the team, because that wouldn't have been the motivating factor. Much as I liked him, Mkhitaryan had lost it mentally, his form was atrocious, and even though Mourinho had persevered with him, he didn't seem to be able to generate either the moments of magic, or the intensity to contribute in other ways. He seemed to have lost all belief. It was a good move, any of us would have made it.
If we are able to sort out our defence and midfield, I believe we will see Martial starting more, and contributing more. He's not a winger, and he's not a striker, he's somewhere in between. That's why he looked so good in a 343, he had a wingback and a center forward, and he could play between the lines.
We need center backs who can be trusted to be left with a striker, midfielders who will track runners on the break, and fullbacks who are decent defenders whilst being effective on the overlap.
If we could get a really good left back this summer, and a leader at center back... we'd have a different team, and all of a sudden, the strain on our other resources won't be such an issue.
