Man Utd: Solskjaer 'delighted' with new Scott McTominay contract
Manchester United went into their Premier League clash against Sheffield United knowing they needed all three points to boost their chances of Champions League qualification. And they picked up the points on a good evening at Old Trafford, with Anthony Martial scoring a stunning hat-trick. In doing so, he has also justified Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision not to spend mega money on Timo Werner.
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But they doubled their lead just before the interval, with Martial showing his predatory instincts with a close-range finish after a pinpoint delivery from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
He then got his hat-trick in the second half, coolly chipping over Moore to score.
There were many good performers for United on a comfortable afternoon.
Bruno Fernandes continues to electrify the club, with the Portugal international enjoying another positive outing folowing his January move from Sporting Lisbon.
Paul Pogba got back into the swing of things with ease, producing a composed and disciplined display from the middle of the park.
And Rashford and Mason Greenwood both looked exciting either side of Martial in attack.
And with his hat-trick against Sheffield United he may have just proven Solskjaer right on Werner, with the Norwegian turning down the chance to sign the Germany international.
The RB Leipzig star will instead be joining Chelsea, something that had many supporters despairing when the announcement was made earlier in the month.
Many were clamouring for United to invest in Werner, whose tally of 32 goals makes him one of the deadliest strikers on the entire planet.
But Solskjaer resisted the temptation because, in his eyes, Martial has the potential to be special.
He can be infuriating. He was perhaps the worst player on the pitch on Friday night as United failed to leave Tottenham with all three points to their name.
Yet the signs point to him getting better and better over the coming years - particularly if he can continue to show such predatory instincts around the penalty area.
Man Utd star Anthony Martial celebrates goal against Sheffield Utd (Image: GETTY)
Solskjaer himself lived for chances that would fall his way inside the box during his own time as a player.
And he’s been regularly coaching Martial, spending one on one time with the 24-year-old in an attempt to elevate him.
Now, that tactic appears to be working.
Martial has now enjoyed his best season for United since his 2015 arrival from Monaco, with the striker now on 19 goals for the season.
That suggests his Red Devils career has turned a corner. Martial has given his side the win they wanted tonight - and also proved Solskjaer right on Werner in the process.