Ole: We want to develop Anthony, Marcus and Mason

The United manager opted for few changes in his team as last season came to an end. So far this term he has only had two selections to make, but when he spoke to the media on Friday the boss was asked about the difficulties of choosing his starting line-ups. 

“Well, there are players that don’t get match-time, for sure. Some of them will not be happy playing as little as they do, when they feel they deserve to play more," Ole said. 

"Then again, it’s a long and hard season and the team you pick in the first league game is not going to be same as in the 10th league match and definitely not towards the end. It’s up to each and every individual there to be closer to selection and getting into the team and then working hard every day,” the Norwegian added. 

Post-lockdown, Ole's men went on an unbeaten run in the Premier League with more or less the same starting XI. Ole spoke about the importance of setting a team, both for stability's sake and for those challenging for places in the line-up. 

“The players that play and the teams that play… when you find a team that gels together it’s easier to keep that team for a while," he explained.

"We saw after the lockdown, I can’t remember how many games we started with the same XI, but that was a team that found their feet and found their form. I’m not going to take away anything from any individual here to stake a claim. It could be a partnership of any two strikers, any two in midfielders, any two centre-backs, wingers - we need to get some consistency in their performances."

Our manager, who netted 126 times as a player for the club, was also directly asked about the front three of Martial, Rashford and Greenwood. 

“Well, they are top players and I think any of the top teams, if they lose one, two or three of their forwards, their creators, the ones who make the difference - of course that can be an issue," said Ole.

"But then that gives a chance to anyone else that believes they should be playing more, to stake a claim. Those three that you mentioned: Mason, Marcus and Anthony, they had a fantastic season last year. We want to develop them of course, together as a three."

The United boss is hopeful that our no. 9, 10 and 11 can continue the scoring form this season after Rashford and Greenwood got off the mark in the Carabao Cup win at Luton Town on Tuesday. He also reiterated the importance of those playing behind the forwards. 

"Then you have players behind them that can create chances for them. It’s not just up to the front three," he declared. "But it’s that relationship that you get used to with each other.

"You’re a split-second ahead; the more you can play with the same players, the better the team will be. Sometimes, you’re lucky with injuries and you don’t lose them. If we lose one of them, I’m pretty confident that we have players who can step in."

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