Solskjaer says Martial set a new standard with his running against Leeds
Anthony Martial’s running and workrate went to a new level in the 6-2 victory over Leeds on Sunday, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Solskjaer was asked about Martial in his press conference after the win at Everton last night.
Martial sealed the 2-0 win in stoppage time and now has six goal involvements in his last three games.
That represents something of a return to form after a tricky start to the season and Solskjaer said he was pleased with Martial’s workrate in the thrashing of Leeds.
“I think (Martial) showed against Leeds – he knows that I’m on to him about this – his running stats from that game set a new standard for him, which I want to see more of,” said Solskjaer.
“Anthony has made some important contributions lately; assists, scored goals, he is getting fitter. He’s always going to have the quality.
“Anthony is going to be better and better. When we get Mason [Greenwood], Marcus [Rashford] and Anthony firing on all cylinders, we’ll be a bigger threat for teams.”
It took Martial’s season a little while to get going.
Like most of United’s players, he was behind in terms of pre-season fitness because the run to the Europa League semi-finals meant there wasn’t much turnaround time before the new campaign.
Then he missed three games because of his red card against Tottenham, robbing him of the chance to rapidly build match fitness.
That missing sharpness appeared to result in a lack of confidence, and his season reached its nadir when he missed a sitter against Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford.
Now he looks fitter and it’s showing in his contribution to the side.
Solskjaer feels there’s more to come from him. If he runs as hard as he did against Leeds every week, it would be difficult for defences to contain him.
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