Bruce to back his loo-sers
Solskjaer so sweet on fighting-fit Marcus
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER insists Marcus Rashford can keep hitting the sweet spot and not suffer burnout as he bids to rescue Manchester United’s season.
The striker, 22, has scored four goals in his last four games to help United go on a run of just one defeat in eight outings, easing the pressure on their under-fire boss.
And the Norwegian says fighting-fit Rashford doesn’t need a rest – especially after an energy boost on his birthday two days ago.
Solskjaer said: “Marcus looks after himself. Hopefully he had loads of sweets on his birthday so the energy levels are up.
“He doesn’t want a rest. I’ve been able to rest him a couple of times in Europe but he’s such a fit, professional boy.”
Rashford’s impressive form included a stunning free-kick strike to help United beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
He has started 12 of the club’s 15 games this season and played more minutes than any other United player – 1,087.
Solskjaer admitted last month he wanted to give Rashford a break but couldn’t because Anthony Martial was still out injured.
Now Martial has returned fit and firing again he has the chance to rest Rashford, but admits the England ace is refusing to be left out. Solskjaer added: “When you get goals, when you score goals, when you get performances, you just want to play games. The rhythm of playing, resting, recovering and playing again, sometimes that’s just as good.”
Martial has scored twice in his last three games since returning from a serious thigh problem that saw him sidelined for almost two months.
The French international has been accused of having a poor attitude in the past but Solskjaer insists Martial has never been more content and that his approach to training and games is infectious.
Speaking ahead of today’s game at Bournemouth, Solskjaer added: “He looks happier. He seems happy.
“He is an infectious boy, his smile and sense of humour, you can see he is happy and that rubs off on everyone.
“That is what I’m talking about with the whole group as well, the whole mood, it’s miles better on the training ground.
“They encourage each other. It’s nice to be a coach and a manager when you see them come out and wanting to do extras, so we are improving.”
Solskjaer has a slight concern over Rashford after he came off with a knee problem late on in the win over Chelsea. He is also sweating on the fitness of defenders Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
NEWCASTLE’S goalscoring problems have led to Steve Bruce sitting on the loo and harking back to the days when the club boasted the best strikers in the land.
The shot-shy Magpies head for West Ham today with their forward line having scored just one goal this season.
That bog-standard record is jeopardising their survival prospects but Bruce is not exactly flush with options up front, with ex-Hammer Andy Carroll only fit enough for the bench and Dwight Gayle short of game time.
He is set to stick with the misfiring trio of Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin and admits he would love to have the attacking riches his hometown club had in the 90s.
“I was sitting on the loo last week, turning over the paper,” he said. “I saw Shearer and Ferdinand and thought, ‘Wow, wow’.
“We had the best centre-forward in the country – probably the best for a long, long time – and two who were England strikers.
“Now we have to make the big jump. We’re right in amongst the pack, which is always a fear.”
Joelinton, Almiron and Saint-Maximin are all new to English football and their inexperience is telling.
“I’ve not really had to be that patient because Allan has only played a few games and two of those were against Manchester United and Chelsea, so you’re not going to be creating much,” added Bruce.
“You can only change the system or the personnel but I won’t give up on them.
“We’ve got to keep working on them. They’re a certain age and will get better.
“Against Wolves last week, when we had decent possession, we were a threat with one or two opportunities.
“It’s difficult to adapt straight away but it can’t continue forever.”