MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes an improvement in Anthony Martial‘s training ground behaviour is behind the Frenchman’s early season form, and backed his team for “better times” ahead.
The Norwegian says he has seen a more “mature” player and says it has contributed to a positive start to the campaign that has seen him score four goals in just five starts.
“Now he is maturing, he is nearly 24,” Solskjaer told a news conference on Friday.
“You have to be obsessed with scoring goals as a No. 9 and he is looking more and more like a player who wants to score goals and not just show his tricks.
“For me he has matured a lot in his behaviour on the training ground as well. I believe we will see the best of him in the next few years.”
Martial spent two months sidelined with a thigh injury but his return to the squad has coincided with United’s upturn in form.
– ESPN Premier League fantasy: Sign up now!
– VAR in the Premier League: Ultimate guide
– When does the transfer window reopen?
– Premier League winter break: All you need to know
Solskjaer’s team head to Bournemouth on Saturday looking for a fourth away win in 10 days after failing to register a victory on their travels for more than six months with Martial likely to start at Dean Court after being rested in midweek against Chelsea.
“He looks happier,” said Solskjaer.
“He seems happy. He is an infectious boy, his smile and sense of humour, you can see he is happy here and that rubs off on everyone and it’s great to see.
“The whole group as well, the whole mood, it’s miles better on the training ground, they encourage each other, it’s nice to be a coach and a manager when you see them come out and wanting to do extras so we are improving.
“I think the group is more ready for tougher times and better times.
“I think it’s a miles better group that we have now. The camaraderie, the attitude of the boys, the selflessness, the humility.
“We are getting closer to what we want to see everyday, that culture, the performance in training, the way they prepare for games.”
During Martial’s layoff, Solskjaer suggested Marcus Rashford needed a break having shouldered the bulk of the responsibility up front.
But since Martial has returned, Rashford has scored four goals in as many games and the United manager insists he will struggle to leave out the striker, who turned 22 on Oct. 31.
“He doesn’t want a rest,” said Solskjaer.
“I’ve been able to rest him a couple of times in Europe but he’s such a fit boy, a professional boy. He looks after himself.
“Hopefully he had loads of sweets [Thursday] night on his birthday so the energy levels are up, but when you get goals, when you score goals, when you get performances, you just want to play games.
“The rhythm of playing, resting, recovering and playing again, sometimes that’s just as good.”
