Farke wanted Dan deal
Ant key for Ole revival
OLE GUNNAR Solskjaer believes a fully-fit Anthony Martial can deliver the creative spark and goals Manchester United have been missing.
The France striker, 23, scored from the spot against Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday to give the United boss his first away win since landing the job on a permanent basis in March.
But it is in open play where Martial can make the difference according to the Norwegian, starting with tomorrow’s trip to Norwich.
“We’ve not created as many as we like and we’ve not scored as many as we’d like,” said Solskjaer.
“But Anthony’s back and has got a goal.
“And I’m sure you’ll see us improve as a team with him in the team because he does give us something different.”
Solskjaer aimed some thinly-veiled criticism in Martial’s direction after the victory in Belgrade, suggesting that the United frontmen had not put in the required defensive shift.
Martial, who had been out with a hamstring problem since August, was substituted on the hour. But after being without him for eight matches before his late appearance from the bench against Liverpool at Old Trafford last Sunday, Solskjaer seems set to cut him some slack.
Norwich have conceded 21 goals in nine games – the joint worst defensive record along with Watford.
But Solskjaer is taking nothing for granted.
He added: “They are a team with lots of courage, they are brave, they play their own way and they keep going and it has given them some great results.
“They have beaten Newcastle and Manchester City and they are a team with a clear philosophy on how they want to play.
“I hope we’re going to stop them because it’s always going be difficult down at Carrow Road. But we’re ready for it now.
“We’ve been to Belgrade, got some players back, I managed to take Aaron (Wan-Bissaka) and Anthony off after 60 minutes because they’ve been out for a long time.
“So hopefully we’ll have a fresh team because we need to be at our best to have a chance.”
DANIEL FARKE has revealed he tried to lure Daniel James to Norwich in the summer only to be blown out of the water by Manchester United.
The Canaries boss admitted defeat once he realised Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also in for the flying Welshman.
Now Farke is plotting ways to stop the winger, who cost £15m from Swansea in June, when United visit Carrow Road tomorrow.
He said: “He is a player I always liked and I tried to see if there was chance we could work together.
“Sadly when Man United calls there is no chance for Norwich.
“I’m not surprised he has become a key player for them so early.”
Farke insisted United were big favourites, despite failing to win a Premier League away game since February.
But having beaten champions Manchester City at home last month, the German is confident of another upset. He said: “It’s not a 50-50 game, I would say it’s only one game in 10 that we would be able to gain points.
“But it was the same against Manchester City and we were able to create a magic night.”
Six-goal top scorer Teemu Pukki hasn’t scored for his club since that shock 3-2 win over the champions.
But Farke said: “He was scoring goals for fun at the beginning. Hopefully he can deliver another special performance.”