Manchester United: Solskjaer keen to add competition for Anthony Martial

Solskjaer entrusted the Frenchman to spearhead Manchester United’s attack this season.

Despite enjoying a prolific season for Manchester United, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has urged Anthony Martial to keep improving himself and further enhance his goalscoring returns.

Solskjaer has praised the progress made by Martial while leading United’s frontline for the first time this season. Recently, the 24-year-old managed first career hattrick against Sheffield United in the Premier League.

"“He’s playing with a smile on his face,”“Anthony has had a really good season, he’s been really important for us. We felt it during the couple of months he was out injured; we struggled.“But he knows that we trust him. He knows that we’ll have patience with him and that we’ll keep working with him.”“It’s the first season that he’s really playing as a No. 9; he’s had to have that burden of the shirt and be that central focus through the middle.“Sometimes that’s not easy when you play for Manchester United but he knows that we trust him and I think he knows that we want him to keep developing.” (quotes via Sky Sports)"

To sustain the competitive edge and to push the level of the current contingent, Solskjaer is set to build a squad mirroring his playing days when the Norwegian competed for a starting spot alongside Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, and Teddy Sheringham.

"“You need competition for places at Man United,”“If you think you’ve got a divine right to be playing every game and are doing so well that we’re not going to look for players to replace you, you’re in the wrong place.“I’ve been here myself for so many years as a striker and Teddy Sheringham comes in, Dwight Yorke comes in, Ruud van Nistelrooy comes in, Wayne Rooney comes in.”“We’ve always got to look at improving, and if they don’t improve, we might have to look somewhere else to get better because we have to be better.”“We’re too far away from where we need to be and want to be.” (Evening Standard)"

However, the treble winner reiterated that he trusts the current crop of Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, and Marcus Rashford to shine at Man United.

"“I’ve always had faith in the forwards we have at the club – Mason, Marcus and Anthony.”“I think they’re boys who improve on trust. I think they’re good boys to talk to, discuss and sit with and they know that I trust them. They know I want the best for them, but they also know I’ve got to make decisions for the team and the club.“They’ve all taken responsibility at different parts of the season and I’m delighted with all of them.” (Evening Standard)"

Possible striker options

Since the beginning of 2019/20 campaign, Manchester United have had limited options for leading their attack with Rashford and Martial being the only number nines at the club. In its course, the season has endured spells where the Red Devils never looked like scoring goals when injuries struck at different junctures.

Despite the irregularity, coaching work done on forwards was evident as Solskjaer’s men looked fluid in attack when Greenwood, Martial, and Rashford featured together.