Solskjaer picks out three Manchester United players for praise

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised three Manchester United players after the team’s win over Luton Town.

Solskjaer told the club website he was especially delighted with the way Dean Henderson stepped up on his United debut.

Henderson produced a diving save in the 80th minute at the near post to deny Luton an equaliser.

With a bit of help from Eric Bailly who cleared the ensuing rebound, Henderson left the pitch with a well-earned clean sheet.

Solskjaer said: “I’m very pleased with his performance both when he had to make the save and also how he voiced the team.

“And when he’s got the ball at his feet he’s always comfortable.”

Solskjaer appears a big fan of Henderson and it feels as though if David de Gea was not at United, he would be more than comfortable with the 23-year-old as the club’s number one.

Instead the manager faces a delicate balancing act between the two.

Henderson’s performance will continue to make his decision a difficult one.

Late substitutes make impact

After Juan Mata’s first half penalty gave United the lead, the players could not make the breakthough to kill the game off.

So on came forwards Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood, who wasted little time, scoring two late goals to make the game 3-0, with a little help from Bruno Fernandes.

Solskjaer said he was pleased to see the pair each get on the scoresheet.

He said: “It’s great for them to get minutes as well but also goals. I think the first one [scored by Rashford], I like that goal because the ball goes forward and it goes quick.

“It’s not perfect but Mason gets hold of it, leaves it for Marcus and you can see that he’s composed in his finishing.

“And Mason, you see his chance there, he can go inside, he can go outside, he had one other one before when he went with his right, now he went with his left. Of course, it’s great for them to get off the mark.”

After both players looked a little rusty against Palace at the weekend, as did the rest of the team, this was exactly what was needed.

Greenwood should be a certainty to start away at Brighton after beginning the last two United games on the bench.

He looked particularly sharp, with an assist to add to his goal, and after a stellar performance away at Brighton in July, Greenwood is warming up at just the right time to repeat his performance as United look for a first Premier League win of the season.

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