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Martial has the ability to emulate Ronaldo - Solskjaer

The Manchester United caretaker boss can see similarities between the two.

Anthony Martial has the talent to reach Cristiano Ronaldo's level if he puts his mind to it, according to Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The 23-year-old has impressed in fits and starts since moving from Monaco to Old Trafford in 2015, becoming the most expensive teenager in history in the process.

Martial had looked set to leave in the summer after falling out with Jose Mourinho, only to fight his way back into the Portuguese's plans and last month sign a deal until at least 2024 under Solskjaer.

The France international marked his first start since that contract with an assist and a superb second in the 3-0 win against Fulham, where his fine solo goal led ex-United captain Gary Neville to compare it to a Ronaldo effort at Craven Cottage in 2007.

"Yes, it was towards the end of the game and we played a very poor game and Cristiano scored it," Solskjaer said of his former team-mate's goal.

"He does have similarities, of course.

"If he wants to be at Cristiano's level, Anthony knows what he has to do. It's up to him. He has the talent."

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a very similar goal at Craven Cottage in 2007 (Rebecca Naden/PA)

Getting anywhere near those heights would be remarkable for a player that Mourinho was keen to sell in the summer.

Had the former United boss got his way, there is a chance Martial may have been lining up for Paris St Germain rather than United in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg.

"I am glad he is in my team," Solskjaer said. "He has contributed to so many chances, so many goals. He is a Manchester United player. He excites the crowd. He excites the manager. He excites his team-mates. And he is a great character around the place."

Tuesday's first leg kicks off a big few weeks for United, whose hopes of progressing past PSG and reaching the quarter-finals have been bolstered by Neymar's absence.

Neymar will miss Paris St Germain's clash with Manchester United due to injury (Mike Egerton/PA)

"When you play against the best teams, you want to play against the players," Solskjaer said. "The crowd want to see the best players. Too bad for Old Trafford.

"I have played a couple of games when we played Real Madrid and Ronaldo and (Luis) Figo and all those were coming to Old Trafford. That gives it an extra edge.

"Unfortunately for Neymar he is injured, but of course he is a quality player. I think our right-back thinks it is not too bad he will not be here."



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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
2Liverpool26205159154465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs26200654252960
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd26156552351751
5Arsenal26155653371650
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2611693433139
8Watford2610793434037
9Everton2796123639-333
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2696113239-733
11Bournemouth26103133747-1033
12Leicester CityLeicester2695123134-332
13Crystal Palace2676132734-727
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
15Burnley2676132947-1827
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2667132234-1225
17Cardiff CityCardiff2674152447-2325
18Southampton2659122844-1624
19Fulham2645172558-3317
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2625191448-3411
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