Anthony Martial has been impressed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s promising start and revealed the best advice he has received from Manchester United’s interim manager. The 23-year-old forward found the net in Solskjaer’s opening match against Cardiff and is enjoying his time under the Norwegian, who has brought an attacking ethos back to United. Solskjaer has the chance to make it seven wins from seven at home to Brighton this weekend and United’s squad should be feeling refreshed following their warm-weather training camp in Dubai. Martial, who will hoping for a start at Old Trafford, has revealed that Solskjaer used the camp to hammer home what a privilege it is to play for the Red Devils.
‘He talked about a lot of different things when we were there,’ the Frenchman told Norwegian outlet TV2. ‘He told us about tricks that he picked up as a player, and how lucky we are to be a part of United.’
Where Jose Mourinho’s style of play restricted United’s attacking players, Solskjaer has encouraged the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Martial to express themselves on the pitch. ‘It’s been great for me to work with a manager who also was an attacker when he played,’ Martial explained. ‘He gives me good advice, especially when it comes to positioning in front of goal and finishing technique. It’s helped me a lot. ‘The best advice I’ve received from him is that I need to play to my strengths. He also told me not to put too much pressure on my self, and try to express myself on the pitch.’ Asked if Solskjaer should get the job on a permanent basis, Martial replied: ‘Everything is going very well at the moment, everyone is happy. So if it continues, why not?
Martial admits that Solskjaer has already shown his strict side behind closed doors. ‘Yes, he has already shown that,’ the attacker explained. ‘Han can be quite strict with people who have earned it. ‘A good manager needs a bit of both, he needs to be firm with the players, but also create joy and good spirits, and that’s how he is.’
