United striker under Solskjaer

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Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is 'growing increasingly frustrated' with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial for lack of killer instinct in front of goal

* Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'isn't happy with his strike force'
* He is reportedly frustrated with their lack of killer instinct in front of goal
* Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have been given special training drills
* United have just sent both Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to Inter Milan

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is growing increasingly irritated with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial's inability to score scruffy goals, according to reports.

United were held to a 1-1 draw at Southampton after being punished by the Saints for not putting their chances away at St Mary's on Saturday in the Premier League.

And according to the Athletic, Solskjaer is becoming frustrated with his main two front men for their lack of killer instinct.


Marcus Rashford failed to get on the scoresheet as Man United were held by Southampton. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is 'growing increasingly frustrated' with United's lack of killer instinct

Rashford failed to get on the scoresheet on the weekend as United dropped more points for the third week in succession, while Martial sat the game out through injury.

The Athletic claim that Solskjaer has been putting his strikers through training drills, which are focused on poaching goals.

The Red Devils manager will be desperate for his strike force to drastically improve when they take on Leicester at home in the Premier League after the international break.


Solskjaer wants his attacking players, including Anthony Martial, to score more scruffy goals

United have just got rid of two of their biggest attacking names in Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku, sending both to Inter Milan.

Lukaku has joined permanently and already has two goals in two Serie A matches, and although Sanchez's move is a loan he appears to have no future at Old Trafford.

The Chilean didn't appear for United at the start of the season, and suffered a torrid season-and-a-half in the north west following his move from Arsenal.

Sanchez scored just five goals in 45 matches for the Red Devils, earning a massive £560,000 per week in wages.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7418721/Man-United-boss-Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-growing-frustrated-Marcus-Rashford-Anthony-Martial.html

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'You have a manager on the sidelines who would probably have scored a hat-trick': Jermaine Jenas slams Manchester United frontmen Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial over 'stale' display in Aston Villa draw

* Manchester United stuttered to a draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford
* Jack Grealish opener cancelled out by Tom Heaton own goal in first half
* Tyrone Mings then salvaged draw after Victor Lindelof put hosts ahead
* Jermaine Jenas criticised front pair Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial
* The pundit felt neither pair attacked the box enough during the match

Jermaine Jenas singled out Manchester United front pair Marcus Rashford and Anthony Rashford for criticism after the club stuttered to a draw at home to Aston Villa.

Jack Grealish put the visitors ahead before Rashford forced an own goal for Tom Heaton in the first half, with Victor Lindelof's second-half strike cancelled out by Tyrone Mings shortly after.

Jenas believes Martial and Rashford should shoulder the blame for the toothless attacking display - and felt United boss and retired striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have scored plenty from the service.


Marcus Rashdford struggled at times for Manchestyer United against Aston Villa

Jenas told Match of the Day: 'What worried me today was the complete lack of movement in their team, everyone was just stale and stuck in their positions.

'They were really sloppy in that final third. They have to find a way to get themselves in that six yard box, because it is happening too often. Rashford was not even looking at the game until it is too late.

'You know what Dan James will do, get in that six yard box. You have the three guys you want to score goals - Rashford, Lingard and Martial - nowhere near it, not even close. Manchester United have not even played well today and they have still created all these opportunities where people aren't even getting close.

'It is a little bit embarrassing. You have a manager on the side-lines who would probably have scored a hat-trick today in what was probably one of the worst performances he has seen from United. It was just stale and there was no direction to what they were doing today.'


Anthony Martial also struggled during the match and was unable to register a goal. Jermaine Jenas felt that boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have scored a hat-trick with service

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7744919/Jermaine-Jenas-slams-Manchester-United-frontmen-Rashford-Martial-Aston-Villa-draw.html

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Losing Marcus Rashford for three months is a disaster of Manchester United's own making after failing to restock their forward line... now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must scramble around in the transfer market or put his faith in Mason Greenwood

* Man United face a shortage of firepower after Marcus Rashford's back injury
* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's gamble to bring Rashford on against Wolves backfired
* Rashford aggravated an existing back problem and now faces three months out
* He is United's leading goalscorer this season with 19 goals in all competitions
* Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and others will need to make up shortfall
* Solskjaer hinted he may have to dip into the transfer market to get a striker

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to make a judgement call in the moment, a decision based on the increasing stress of the situation.

And, like with much at Manchester United right now, it has spectacularly backfired on him.

It was the 64th minute of United's FA Cup third round replay with Wolves at Old Trafford and the scores were locked stubbornly at 0-0.


Marcus Rashford could be sidelined for up to three months after suffering a back injury. Rashford lasted just 16 minutes after coming on during United's FA Cup win over Wolves. Losing his leading goalscorer for so long comes as an enormous blow to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

This was a game Solskjaer couldn't afford to lose in the context of United's season of almost constant mini-boom and immediate bust.

With his team not really any closer to the Premier League top four and facing exit in the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup could well offer Solskjaer salvation this season.

That's why he turned to the bench and his leading goalscorer, Marcus Rashford, to try and keep United's hopes of silverware alive.

It was a risk, with Solskjaer knowing that his star striker had been suffering from a back complaint. But on Rashford came for Daniel James anyway and United scored their winner through Juan Mata three minutes later.

A further 13 minutes on and Rashford was heading off the field and straight down the tunnel, holding his back in severe discomfort.

We now know that Rashford has a double stress fracture of the back and will be sidelined for up to three months. Solskjaer must be cursing his misfortune as United enter a crucial phase of their season.


Rashford has been in excellent form this season for United, scoring 19 goals in all competitions. United somehow need to find a way to compensate for Rashford's goal in his absence

It's obvious that Rashford has been struggling with this problem for some time, playing through the pain at times with a wince, and he clearly needed this spell of rest and rehabilitation.

Playing against Wolves was the final trigger that made the injury worse but, in fairness to Solskjaer, it seems this could have happened in any game.

'He'll be out for a while. He won't be back until after the mid-season break [next month],' confirmed the United boss after Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

'It's normally six weeks to heal, but I'm not a doctor, then he needs rehab after that probably. He's had some trouble before and we are going to give him time to recover and rest before we put him back on the pitch.'

Rashford is United's top scorer this season with 19 goals in all competitions. The next highest is Anthony Martial on 11, then Mason Greenwood on nine. They - and others - will be forced to pick up the slack.

It will predominantly fall on Martial now to deliver the goals needed. The Frenchman is in decent form, scoring against Newcastle, Burnley and Norwich in recent weeks, but is nowhere near as hot as Rashford was.

That showed at Anfield when Martial blazed over a glorious opportunity to bring United level at 1-1 during the second-half.


Anthony Martial rues missing a golden chance in United's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday. The Frenchman was clean through but skied his shot with just Liverpool keeper Alisson to beat

The miss drew a typically scathing reaction from former United captain and Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane.

'Martial, to me that sums up his career in a nutshell at Manchester United, you have to hit the target,' he said.

'That's why that guy there is not good enough for Man United.'

There's a sense that the jury remains out on Martial, who was regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Europe when United signed him from Monaco for an initial £36million, rising to a possible £58m, in 2015.

It seems he has failed to match the promise of his first season at Old Trafford, when he hit 17 goals, and has barely scraped into double figures in the past three campaigns.

Once so sharp in one-on-one situations, Martial's miss on Sunday spoke of a striker devoid of confidence but now he has to stand up and be counted.

James, who could well play in Rashford's position during his absence, has largely looked the part in a United shirt since his summer arrival from Swansea.

It may be a concern that the 22-year-old hasn't scored since late August but he has contributed seven assists and his first season at Old Trafford is likely to be judged a positive start.


Daniel James has shown plenty of promise during his first season in a United shirt


Struggling Jesse Lingard is unlikely to score many goals to compensate for Rashford's absence

We'll maybe see a bit more of Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata in the weeks to come but there's little faith either will provide the goals needed to compensate for Rashford's absence.

Lingard's goal and assist drought in the Premier League, which dates back to January 29 last year, has become the butt of many opposition fan jokes.

So all this leaves the very real possibility that United will be relying heavily on 18-year-old Mason Greenwood to score the goals to keep their ambitions alive in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League.

Greenwood is young and raw but already looks the real deal. His finishing, especially into the bottom corner of the goal, is laser-guided. He already has 11 goals in what looks like a fine breakthrough season.

Solskjaer is likely to give him a lot more game time in Rashford's absence and it remains to see if he can handle the heightened burden of expectation. He has done so far.


Mason Greenwood, 18, is enjoying a fine breakthrough season having scored 11 goals so far. Solskjaer is likely to place more faith in his young tyro in the absence of Rashford

United are now paying the price for a complete lack of strategy and foresight in the transfer market last summer.

They allowed both Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to leave for Inter Milan and failed to sign any attacking reinforcements. Lukaku has scored 18 times for Inter this season.

It smacks, once again, of scrambled, off the cuff decision-making from the top of the club downwards.

It's fortunate for Solskjaer, really, that United got through until late January without this kind of major injury leaving them woefully under-staffed up front.

The Norwegian admitted that United may have to dip into the transfer market to bring in a short-term attacking solution.

But given how they're currently struggling to get a deal for midfielder Bruno Fernandes over the line, it doesn't inspire hope they can find a 15-goal striker at reasonable cost in the next 11 days.

This frantic search for a stop-gap comes hot on the heels of United's failure to sign Erling Haaland, who opted to join Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg.

This despite Solskjaer being his former coach, a compatriot and having close ties to Haaland's family.

In the cold light of day, Haaland probably saw the dire situation at Old Trafford and said 'no thank you.'

As he prepares to spearhead Dortmund's assault on the league title, they also can look forward to a last-16 Champions League tie with Paris Saint-Germain as United themselves had a year ago.

Solskjaer, a hostage to bad fortune, would give quite a lot to stand in their shoes right now.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7907551/Man-United-Solskjaer-blame-Marcus-Rashford-injury-setback.html

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'If they don't improve we might have to look somewhere else... we're too far away from where we need to be': Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warns his Manchester United strikers they will be replaced if they cannot help deliver major honours

* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has demanded more from his Manchester United strikers
* Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have caught the eye with 19 goals each
* Mason Greenwood has also impressed and Odion Ighalo has filled a squad void
* But Solskjaer knows United will need to be even better to challenge for the title

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has demanded more from his Manchester United strikers, and warned them: 'If you think we won't look for players to replace you, you're in the wrong place.'

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are enjoying their most prolific seasons at United with 19 goals each, while Mason Greenwood has weighed in with 12 and Odion Ighalo has scored on his first four starts.

But Solskjaer knows United will need to be even better to challenge for the top honours again, and is ready to go into the transfer market to add more firepower to his team.


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned his Manchester United attackers they must improve. Marcus Rashford has impressed this season but Solskjaer needs more from the England ace


Anthony Martial has been playing centre forward but Solskjaer did want to buy Erling Haaland

United are chasing Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho and Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, but Solskjaer could also sign a new striker after missing out on Erling Haaland in January.

'You need competition for places at Man United,' he said on Monday.

'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.

'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.


Mason Greenwood has also impressed but it is too soon to expect him to start regularly

'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.

'I've always had faith in the forwards we have at the club - Mason, Marcus and Anthony. They've all taken responsibility at different parts of the season and I'm delighted with all of them.

'I think all three have had a good development this season, but they can be so much better. I'm still waiting to see them blossom because there are parts of their game they need to improve on.

'They know I want the best for them, but they also know I've got to make decisions for the team and the club.'

United go to Brighton on Tuesday night on the back of a 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions looking to keep up their challenge for a top-four finish.

They have lost on their last two visits to the Amex Stadium, and Solskjaer is refusing to be complacent over a run-in that also includes games against Bournemouth, Villa, Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Ham.

'I would never ever say it's an easy game in the Premier League, absolutely no chance,' added the United boss.

'Complacency kicks you somewhere you don't want to get kicked in football.'

Solskjaer admitted that Angel Gomes, United's young player of the year in 2017, looks likely to leave the club as a free agent on Wednesday after failing to agree terms over a new contract.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8472303/Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-warns-Manchester-United-attackers-replaced.html

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford's rivalry is bringing out the best in them as they fight to be Man United's top scorer - after 21 goals each for the season

* Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are enjoying fine seasons at Man United
* The duo have scored 21 goals each in all competitions for the Red Devils so far
* Martial's work-rate has impressed United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer too

Anthony Martial's rivalry with Marcus Rashford is bringing out the best in both Manchester United strikers, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Martial and Rashford moved onto 21 goals each for the season in Monday's 2-2 draw against Southampton at Old Trafford, with the Frenchman helping to set up his team-mate.

The two players are in friendly competition for who can score more times this season, with Mason Greenwood weighing in with another 16 goals.

Solskjaer said: 'They're all team players and it's very positive. The way they look for each other. "Is he in better position or am I able to finish?".


Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial lead Manchester United's goalscoring charts. The Red Devils duo have scored 21 goals each in all competitions so far this season

'It's great when you're a striker scoring goals, on top of your game, fit and strong. Mason has come into the frame and not looked back since the restart, and it's fantastic to see them on the training ground.'

Solskjaer has been determined to increase his team's work-rate since he took over from Jose Mourinho and praised Martial for raising his game after the former Monaco striker scored his 50th goal for United on Monday.


Along with fellow forward Mason Greenwood the trio have a combined 58 goals this campaign. United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also been impressed with Martial's work-rate

'He's definitely developing, improving and enjoying his football,' added the United boss. 'He's stepped it up as an individual and more as a team player.

'Physically, I remember there was talk about our forwards being the least active and there were stats flying around, but Anto is now working really hard for the team. He's a quality finisher.'

Solskjaer also paid tribute to Rashford after it was announced on Wednesday morning that the England international will receive an honorary doctorate at the age of 22 from the University of Manchester for his campaign to feed under-privileged children.

'We're so proud of Marcus,' he added. 'He's a great person and a great human being. He cares so much more about others than himself. Hopefully he'll keep his personality for the rest of his life and be himself.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8525095/Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-hails-Anthony-Martial-praises-goalscoring-rivalry-Marcus-Rashford.html

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Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are playing a game of 'anything you can do' and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be delighted... the Manchester United strikers' stats are eerily similar and friendly competition is driving them both to new heights

* Both Martial and Rashford have scored 21 for the season and 16 in the league
* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken about friendly rivalry between the two
* As a former striker, United boss will know both will want to outscore the other
* A comparison of the forwards' stats shows the numbers are remarkably similar
* Both have hit their stride post-restart as United push for a top four finish
* With key games in FA Cup and Europe to come, the pair need to keep delivering

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer always speaks diplomatically but when it comes to two of his Manchester United players he must be absolutely thrilled.

His two main strikers, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, have both scored 21 goals this season in all competitions and both have scored 16 in the Premier League.

Solskjaer, a former striker himself, knows this is a great position for a manager to be in. Two hugely talented attackers, both natural goalscorers, neck-and-neck for goals in friendly competition to see who can score the most.


Marcus Rashford (left) and Anthony Martial (right) are engaged in a friendly rivalry to see who can score the most goals and it's to the benefit of Manchester United in general. United manager Solskjaer will be delighted to see his two main strikers pushing one another on

It's become more and more clear since the restart that Rashford and Martial – not to mention youngster Mason Greenwood – are inspiring one another to greater heights and it's to United's benefit.

French striker Martial, 24, had stepped up to compensate for Rashford's absence with a back injury prior to football's three-month shutdown.

His goals had come in fits and spurts earlier in the season and that does remain the case. You seldom see Martial score in two or three consecutive games but he is still delivering the goods.

Since football returned, he has scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United – the first treble of his senior career – and has since netted against Bournemouth and Southampton.

The strike against the Saints on Monday was his 50th Premier League goal for United and Martial is also creating more for his team-mates with assists in his last two outings.


The French striker scored the first hat-trick of his senior career against Sheffield United

As Solskjaer said this week: 'He's stepped it up as an individual and more as a team player.

'Physically, I remember there was talk about our forwards being the least active and there were stats flying around, but Anto is now working really hard for the team. He's a quality finisher.'

So with Solskjaer's influence, Martial is starting to shake off old inconsistencies and frustrations and look like an accomplished centre forward.

England international Rashford, 22, is more likely to score in a run of consecutive games as he did during a hot streak in the autumn.

That's why his back injury, suffered in the FA Cup replay against Wolves in January, was of such concern to United.

But the Covid-19 shutdown allowed Rashford to make a full recovery and after a slightly slow start, goals in the games against Bournemouth and Southampton have helped allay concerns.

Rashford's returns, which include 10 assists in all competitions, are more impressive for the fact he is often stationed wide left in the forward line as opposed to centre forward.

Manchester United scorers this season

In all competitions

21 - Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford

16 - Mason Greenwood

8 - Bruno Fernandes

5 - Odion Ighalo, Scott McTominay

4 - Daniel James

3 - Harry Maguire, Juan Mata

2 - Andreas Pereira, Jess Lingard, Fred

1 - Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw, Brandon Willians, Ashley Young

Marcus Rashford has scored in his last two matches, returning to scoring form after injury. Rashford slides the ball home during Monday's 2-2 draw with Southampton at Old Trafford

However, delve a little deeper and the two players' stats for the current campaign are remarkably similar.

Not only have they scored the same number of goals from the same number of Premier League starts (28), they have an identical number of touches in the opposition box (157).

Though Rashford has fired off more shots in Premier League games than Martial (89 to 75), the number actually on target is almost the same (39 to 38). In terms of chances created, Rashford shades it 31 to 25.

It suggests that both players are filling their roles as forwards - creating opportunities, getting shots off and scoring them - and are perhaps egged on by a little bit of inter-squad competition.

But the most encouraging thing for Solskjaer is how both Rashford and Martial have exceeded their returns from last season in all the areas that matter.


A comparison of the stats for both players shows similar returns in terms of goals, assists, shots on target and touches in the opposition box


A comparison with last season shows encouraging improvement for both attackers

Both players scored 10 Premier League goals in 2018-19, with Martial's return the more impressive as he played eight fewer league games because of injury and competition from Romelu Lukaku.

With three games still to play before the Premier League concludes on July 26, both Rashford and Martial have already surpassed the number of shots attempted and dribbles attempted.

It suggests that the more the pair work under Solskjaer, with his little pearls of wisdom from a highly successful career with United, the more they are improving.

Both Rashford and Martial will be desperate to outdo each other in the final scoring and assist charts.

They'll have plenty of opportunities yet. With Manchester City's European ban overturned, United must battle with Chelsea and Leicester City to finish in fourth place.

They travel to Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace on Thursday night before games against West Ham and, intriguingly, Leicester during the final week.

This Sunday sees an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, while United pick up their UEFA Europa League campaign at the last-16 stage in August.

Finish fifth in the league table and they'll have to win that competition to see the Champions League next term.

The good news for Solskjaer is that his forward line are flourishing. With Rashford and Martial engaged in a battle of 'anything you can do, I can do better', United's season could yet have a successful ending.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8530055/Anthony-Martial-Marcus-Rashford-playing-game-do.html