Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Anthony Martial is learning from Odion Ighalo as he continues his development as a main striker.
Martial has often been played out wide in the early years of his career, but has now become United’s No.9.
The 31 year old Ighalo has played as a striker in Nigeria alongside every clubside, and Solskjaer says he has been putting his experience to good use.
Solskjaer Talks About Ighalo:
“Odion is a seasoned No.9,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports.
“He’s played that position his whole career whereas Anthony has played more out on the wing.
“Odion is helping on the training pitch, in terms of his movement, hold-up play and just being himself.
Anthony’s learning off an experienced centre-forward.”
Though Martial’s form hasn’t always been consistent but he has managed to score 19 goals in all competition.
Solskjaer About Pushing Martial To Rise To The Challenge.
“It’s the first season that he’s really playing as a No.9;
he’s had to have that burden of the shirt and be that central focus through the middle,” he added.
“Sometimes that’s not easy when you play for Manchester United.
But he knows that we trust him and I think he knows that we want him to keep developing.
“We’ll keep challenging him, there are always players in and around the team and outside the club who would want to be No.9 for Manchester United.
There’s always pressure on a centre-forward but so far, he’s performed really well.”
“He’s playing with a smile on his face,” he said.
“Anthony has had a really good season, he’s been really important for us.
We felt it during the couple of months he was out injured; we struggled.
“But he knows that we trust him, he knows that we’ll have patience with him and that we’ll keep working with him.”
