Solskjaer Confident Rashford Can Emulate Ronaldo

By Joshua Walters

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Anthony Martial could become the next Cristiano Ronaldo should he work towards it.

The caretaker manager thinks the French forward possess the same qualities as the Portuguese striker and could follow in his footsteps should he set his site on it. 

Martial, who committed his future with the club weeks ago, has been in superb form since the sacking of Jose Mourinho as he has scored 11 goals this season, the last in which came in a solo run against Fulham on Saturday.

Martial fed on a pass at the left wing and brushed away three markers to push into the penalty box to slot the ball into the net.

Former United defender Gary Neville compared the goal to Ronaldo's goal at Old Trafford twelve years ago with Solskjaer atesting to the comparison.

"It was towards the end of the game and we played a very poor game and Cristiano scored it.”

"He [Martial] does have similarities, of course. If he wants to be at Cristiano's level. Anthony knows what he has to do. It is up to him. He has the talent."

"If you look at his goal and his starting position, he is not free of defensive duties."

"He was in the middle of our half when we won the ball and he gets the ball 20 yards further up on our halfway line and he runs with it, so he does the defensive bit."

"He knows he needs to do some defensive work but he has got some quality going forward. He is electric and his balance, his pace, everything about him. When you are a full-back, you don't want him running at you. He knows he has to defend."

"I am glad he is in my team, he has contributed to so many chances, so many goals. He is a Manchester United player. He excites the crowd. He excites the manager. He excites his team-mates. And he is a great character around the place."