By Daily Sports on June 30, 2020
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Anthony Martial is learning from Odion Ighalo as he continues his development as a central striker.
The Frenchman 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, Norway, Italy, Spain, England and China, and Solskjaer says he has been putting his experience to good use.
“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, he has had a reasonably productive season so far and his next goal will be his 20th in all competitions.
Solskjaer hasn’t ruled out the possibility of signing a new striker, but for now he is 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.”
Solskjaer also believes Martial isn’t just tackling the challenge of being No.9, but is enjoying it as 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.” (Goal)
•PHOTO: Manchester United striker Anthony Martial
Source Daily Sports
Posted June 30, 2020
You may also like...
Aubameyang Shines as Arsenal Pip Burnley
Akpabio, Shettima nominated for Nigerian Awards for Sporting...
Qatar 2022 Qualifier: 21 Players Hit Super Eagles’...
Nigeria needs sports master plan – Fashola
Wolves Beat Manchester City to Win Premier League...
Barcelona reach loan deal for Valencia centre-back Jeison...

2026 World Cup: NFF denies reports of FIFA rejecting Nigeria’s appeal against DR Congo
Pray Super Eagles Has Come
Chelle’s men battle Northerners for Group C top spot
2027: Group drums Support for Lalong’s re-election
AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Will Beat Tunisia — Bassey
AFCON: Results of yesterday’s matches, all fixtures for Saturday
EXCLUSIVE: Super Eagles reject AFCON bonus
INEC Data Reveals South-South Voter Breakdown: Igbos 7M, Indigenes 12M
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Nigeria 4-2 Tunisia – Super Eagles Edge Out Carthage Eagles In Previous AFCON Meetings
Mikel backs Eagles to win AFCON
Why Mbappe had £1.3m ethics bonus in PSG contract
Nigeria begins their AFCON campaign with a hard-fought victory over Tanzania
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,433 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,700 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,614 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,276 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,221 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,138 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,981 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,556 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,723 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,252 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,651 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,123 views)