MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Nov 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Manchester United
offered a small glimpse into what could be a promising future as the
attacking triumvirate of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood
all scored in a comfortable 3-0 Europa League win over Partizan Belgrade in
midweek.
Even given the modest nature of the opposition, the sight of all three
strikers scoring was a welcome one for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has seen his
side struggle for goals this season.
Solskjaer recognised the importance of a good victory by picking a stronger
team than for his side’s three previous Europa League matches and his demand
for “front-foot” football was heeded.
At 18, Greenwood offers hope of what may come as a natural goalscorer, but
it is on Martial and Rashford’s shoulders that United’s hopes for the season
lie.
Solskjaer’s decision with the backing of the club’s senior figures to ship
out Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez in the summer transfer window have left
the Norwegian with precious few attacking options, so Martial and Rashford
have to step up.
Rashford has already grabbed nine goals this season and is well on course
to beat his previous season’s best of only 13.
But that included a run of just one in nine games, which largely coincided
with Martial’s absence with a thigh injury.
The Frenchman has scored in five of the seven matches he has started for
the Reds this season since taking the number nine shirt off Lukaku, but
importantly has also liberated Rashford by easing the burden on the England
international.
Martial is more comfortable than his strike partner with his back to goal
and can act as the perfect foil for Rashford, Daniel James and Greenwood
cutting in from wide areas.
Back to a position he feels more comfortable in, Rashford has netted five
times in his last six games.
With Paul Pogba is expected to remain out through injury until at least the
start of December, Martial and Rashford will have to be United’s go-to stars
in the intervening period.
That includes Sunday’s home game with Brighton in the Premier League, with
Graham Potter’s men two points and places above United in the table.
A 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend sapped the enthusiasm from a mini-
revival for Solskjaer’s side after beating Norwich convincingly in the
league, Chelsea away in the League Cup and becoming the first side this
season to take Premier League points off Liverpool.
And despite the scoreline, Solskjaer still was not entirely pleased with
his side’s showing against Partizan.
“Sometimes you get that with a young team, which we have,” said Solskjaer
of his side’s inconsistency.
“The game against Partizan was one where you can fill your boots after 60
minutes, but the last half an hour was sloppy.
“We are still not consistent enough in our performances from game to game
or within the game. But it will come.
“It keeps improving and I think when we get through this, the boys will
have learned a lot.”
The question remains how much time Solskjaer will be given if results do
not improve quickly.
To stick around, he needs Martial and Rashford to deliver on their enormous
potential and repay the faith he showed in getting rid of Lukaku.