Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has heaped praise on Manchester United striker Anthony Martial and revealed how the gifted Frenchman is responding positively to his demands.
The no.9 scored his fourth goal of the season on Wednesday evening, with a composed finish to secure a 2-0 victory over Everton in our Carabao Cup quarter-final at Goodison Park.
Martial now hopes to kick on and build his tally for the campaign, following a frustrating start to 2020/21 that involved a red card against Tottenham Hotspur and subsequent three-match ban.
During a press conference to preview United’s next match, against Leicester City in the Premier League on Boxing Day, Solskjaer explained the 25-year-old is building his confidence and fitness.
Martial now hopes to kick on and build his tally for the campaign, following a frustrating start to 2020/21 that involved a red card against Tottenham Hotspur and subsequent three-match ban.
During a press conference to preview United’s next match, against Leicester City in the Premier League on Boxing Day, Solskjaer explained the 25-year-old is building his confidence and fitness.
Ole also revealed his request for Martial to increase his running stats per match and the boss was pleased to see the France international register 9.63km in the recent 6-2 win over Leeds United.
“I think he showed against Leeds, and he knows that I am onto him about this, that his running stats have set a new standard for him, which I want to see more from.
“Anthony has made some important contributions lately, assists and he has scored goals, he is getting fitter,”the manager told journalists in his media briefing, which is available to watch in full.
“I think he showed against Leeds, and he knows that I am onto him about this, that his running stats have set a new standard for him, which I want to see more from.
“He will always have the quality, Anthony. Maybe his confidence has been bruised a little bit by what happened earlier on in the season, with the red card and he has had some criticism.
“But Anthony is going to be better and better. When we get Mason, Marcus and Anthony firing on all cylinders as well, I think we will be a bigger threat for teams.”
Martial was a substitute against Everton in midweek and he hopes to start when United take on Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Boxing Day.
Victory over the Foxes would move the Reds up to second in the Premier League and, with a game in hand on leaders Liverpool, that would be a very positive position.
Kick-off against Leicester is scheduled for 12:30 GMT and line-ups will be announced an hour earlier.
Victory over the Foxes would move the Reds up to second in the Premier League and, with a game in hand on leaders Liverpool, that would be a very positive position.
Kick-off against Leicester is scheduled for 12:30 GMT and line-ups will be announced an hour earlier.