‘We have to be better’ – Solskjaer suggests Man Utd could target another striker

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken of the importance of competition for places at Manchester United, suggesting the club could target another striker as they look to improve next season.

Manchester United are currently unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions and have shown promising signs of improvement either side of the season’s suspension, the club having impressed since the Premier League‘s restart, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sheffield United in their last league fixture.

Anthony Martial was the star against the Blades as he netted his first career hat-trick, the Frenchman having enjoyed a career-best season after returning to his preferred role as a central forward.

United, however, continue to be linked with a host of strikers including Lyon’s Moussa Dembele and Wolves’ Raul Jimenez, and Solskjaer has suggested he could seek fresh competition with the club always striving for improvement.

“You need competition for places at Man United. If you think you’ve got a divine right to be playing every game and are doing so well that we’re not going to look for players to replace you, you’re in the wrong place,” Solskjaer said at his pre-match press conference ahead of United’s visit to Brighton on Tuesday.

“I’ve been there myself for so many years as a striker and Teddy Sheringham comes in, Dwight Yorke comes in, Ruud van Nistelrooy comes in, Wayne Rooney comes in. We’ve always got to look at improving, and if they don’t improve, we might have to look somewhere else to get better because we have to be better. We’re too far away from where we need to be and want to be.”

Despite hinting at attacking arrivals this summer, Solskjaer has backed his current options and says he has been pleased with the development of United’s forwards so far this season.

Marcus Rashford and Martial have each scored career-best hauls of 19 goals in all competitions to date, whilst teenager Mason Greenwood has showcased his vast potential with an impressive 12 goals in just 16 starts.

“They know that I trust them, they know I want the best for them, but they also know I’ve got to make decisions for the team and the club,” he said. “They’ve all taken responsibility at different parts of the season and I’m delighted with all of them.

“For us as a group, it was time to allow our forwards to feel that confidence and feel that demand of playing and being demanded to play every game. That’s how you get to another level. I think all three have had a good development this season, but they can be so much better. I’m still waiting to see them blossom because there are parts of their game that they still need to improve on.”

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