OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER inspired Anthony Martial to his best form ever by texting to ask him if he wanted the Manchester United No9 shirt back after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s departure.
Martial instantly replied “yes” and is now matching United‘s other stand-out players this season – January buy Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and most recently 18-year-old Mason Greenwood.
Man Utd marksman Anthony Martial is enjoying his finest season, showing he can be a long-term successor to Zlatan Ibrahimovic at No9
Frenchman Anthony Martial looks a rejuvenated player, typifying Man Utd’s improvement under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Solskjaer‘s men aim to go third with victory at Crystal Palace tonight, with 24-year-old Martial having bagged 16 goals and five assists in 29 Premier League starts this campaign.
That compares to fellow striker Rashford, 22, netting 16 and teeing up six from 28 matches.
Swedish legend Ibrahimovic, 38, left United for LA Galaxy in March 2018 and is now back in Europe’s elite with a second spell at AC Milan.
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And after wearing the No11 shirt for three seasons, Martial admits he was fired up by Solskjaer’s top message.
He told Canal+: “He [Solskjaer] sent me a message. He said ‘do you want to take your No.9 shirt back?’
“I straight up said yes! I said yes and he told me now it’s up to you to show me [that you deserve it] every time you’re on the pitch.”
The France star has added consistency and drive to his never-doubted skill and pace this campaign, especially since lockdown.
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And Solskjaer himself has said: “He’s definitely developing, improving and he’s enjoying his football.
“He’s stepped it up this season, I feel, both as an individual and more so as a team player, and physically.
“I remember there were talks about our forwards last season being the least active and there were some stats flying around but Antho is now working really hard for the team and he is a quality, quality finisher.”
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By: Ian Tuckey
Title: Man Utd boss Solskjaer motivated Martial by texting him ‘do you want your No9 shirt back?’ after Ibrahimovic left
Sourced From: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/12143321/man-utd-martial-solskjaer-ibrahimovic-no9-shirt/
Published Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2020 16:09:51 +0000
