Solskjaer explains the secret to unlocking Martial's potential at Man Utd

Charlotte Duncker

Solskjaer explains the secret to unlocking Martial's potential at Man Utd image

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Anthony Martial settling into the number nine role has prompted his good run of form which has seen the Manchester United forward reach 20 goals for the season.

The Frenchman scored his first career hat-trick against Sheffield United last month and followed it up with a perfectly-struck strike against Bournemouth at the weekend, taking him to 15 Premier League goals this season.

It is already Martial’s best goalscoring season and United still have five league games remaining, an FA Cup semi-final and the Europa League to continue. And Solskjaer explained the secret behind unlocking the attacker's potential.

“I think the team creating chances, Anthony working hard, being the number nine in a settled position, but also once in a while rotating with Marcus [Rashford] and switching positions,” Solskjaer said.

“For his goal (against Bournemouth), he started off on the left and curled it into the top corner.”

While Martial has been impressing, the spotlight has been on 18-year-old Mason Greenwood. He became the youngest United player since Wayne Rooney to reach 15 goals for a season after he scored a brace against Eddie Howe’s side.

The teenager has already been compared to the former United captain and Robin van Persie, and there has been ongoing debate as to whether the forward should be called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

Mason Greenwood Man Utd 2019-20

“If you can handle playing for Man Utd, then you can handle playing for any team and Mason's got the qualities that not many others have,” Solskjaer said.

“So he could play for England's full team or Under-21s, I don't really mind. I know he's doing well for us and it's great to have him here.”

Whether or not Greenwood gets a call from Southgate, Solskjaer is confident the youngster will continue to improve and has been impressed with what he has seen from the academy graduate.

“He’s a naturally good finisher, so he'll always score goals,” Solskjaer explained. “He's a humble boy, he wants to learn, he listens, he's worked hard, you can see his fitness is getting better and better.

"He's just a young boy who will fill out, he's exciting to work with and we'll keep on building him up in the gym and on the pitch.”

Charlotte Duncker

Charlotte Duncker Photo

Charlotte Duncker is Goal's Manchester United correspondent covering the club home and away across all competitions. She joined Goal in March 2020 after three years at the Manchester Evening News covering both United and Manchester City.