OpinionDimitar Berbatov backs Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to thrive up front for Manchester United
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side face Wolves, a team who beat them three times last season, in Monday night meeting
- Bulgaria striker played with Frenchman at Monaco and believes he can be like Thierry Henry
Ahead of Manchester United’s game at a Wolves side who were superior in all three meetings last season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke about what will be needed when his young team face the inevitable problems which lie in wait in any season.
“If we hit an obstacle, that’s when you want the leaders to step forward,” the Norwegian said. “Anyone can play well towards the end of a game when you’re winning 3-0.”
Wolves are tough opponents and character is one of the main attributes United’s manager and his coaches are trying to instil, a sense that to be a Manchester United player is the greatest honour and requires extra effort.
He wants his players to be fast, fit and mentally alert. Which manager doesn’t? He also wants them to be mentally tough, to show the never-say-die spirit so prevalent in the teams he played for. That was absent when his team slumped with two wins in 12 at the end of last season, including those 2-1 defeats at Wolves. Solskjaer’s players were shot mentally and physically, but he feels both those issues have been rectified. Harry Maguire, he believes, is a leader, but he wants and needs more.
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford aren’t always seen as leaders, though Rashford had the courage to take a last-minute penalty in Paris and speaks well.