Manchester United welcomes Sevilla for the first leg of their Europa League 2022-23 quarter-final on Friday, April 14. The match is scheduled to begin at 12:30 AM IST.

The Red Devils will be eager to claim the win against Sevilla in front of their home support at Old Trafford, Manchester ahead of the second leg next week.

MUN vs SEV Dream11 prediction for Europa League 2022-23

Manchester United is currently fourth in the Premier League with 56 points from 29 games, while Sevilla find themselves in 13th spot in La Liga having accumulated 32 points from 28 matches.

Despite recent form being in favour of the English giants, Sevilla - who are the most successful team in Europa League history with six titles - will fancy their chances of progressing in the competition.

They have met United thrice in Europe in the past, winning twice and drawing once. However, United will back themselves to get the better of Sevilla and are more likely to come away with a win from the upcoming clash between these teams. 

MUN vs SEV Dream11 team tips for Europa League 2022-23

Top tip: Best forward - Anthony Martial

In the absence of an injured Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial is likely to spearhead United’s attack. Martial, who was on loan at Sevilla, will fancy finding the back of the net against his former teammates having also scored in his last outing of the bench for United. Only just back from injury himself, Martial - who has managed seven goals and two assists this season - could prove to be a smart differentiator in your fantasy football team.

Top tip: Best midfielder - Bruno Fernandes

A constant at the centre of the park for United this season, expect Bruno Fernandes to have a big say on the outcome of this contest. A creative player capable of unlocking defences in the blink of an eye, Fernandes has scored against Sevilla in United’s colours in the past and he’ll fancy making a difference. He has 10 goals and 12 assists this season, which should be reason enough for you to have him in your fantasy football team.

Top tip: Best defender - Jesus Navas

A winger turned fullback, expect Jesus Navas to express himself while bombing forward from the wide areas. Navas has proven that he can hold his own in defence against explosive attacks in the past and he is likely to be in for another busy night at Old Trafford. He’s provided four assists this season, which highlights his ability to score fantasy points both through his attacking and defensive skills.

Top tip: Best goalkeeper - Marko Dmitrovic

While Marko Dmitrovic hasn’t always been Sevilla’s first-choice goalkeeper this season, he seems to have made the position his own of late. A good shot-stopper who loves one-on-ones, Dmitrovic can expect to be kept busy by United attackers, meaning the more he thwarts them would lead to you getting more fantasy points. In 16 starts this season, he’s conceded just eight times and kept 10 clean sheets.

Photo credits: Alamy

We have seen some mesmerizing performances in the ongoing edition of the English Premier League so far, but at the same time, we have seen some big names coming up with disappointing returns as well. Here, we take a look at three such players who have flopped big time in this season thus far.

Timo Werner (Chelsea)

The 23-year-old made a move to Chelsea on the back of a stellar outing in the 2019/20 season for RB Leipzig. Werner scored a total of 34 goals during the season and thus established his name as one of the best strikers in Europe at present. However, his shooting boots have been missing ever since arriving at Stamford Bridge. Werner has played full 90 minutes in all of Chelsea's four Premier League games thus far and has failed to find the back of the net in all of them. From what has transpired in the matches so far, it appears that he is yet to find the proper synchronization on the field with the other players. Werner will be hoping to end his lean patch soon and regain the form he was in last season.

Anthony Martial (Manchester United)

The French forward was Manchester United's joint-top-scorer in the 2019/20 Premier League season. He scored a total of 17 goals last time around and was thus one of the main reasons behind their late revival of form. However, as things stand this season, Martial has failed to score in three outings for the Red Devils in the Premier League so far. He couldn't find the back of the net despite playing full 90 minutes in their loss to Crystal Palace. He also played 89 minutes in their narrow win over Brighton and failed to score once again. Moreover, his indiscipline on the pitch in their big clash against Tottenham Hotspur saw him getting sent off in the 27th minute as well. That left United with one man short and they lost the match by a massive 6-1 margin.

Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

He spent a major part of the last season on the sidelines due to a series of injuries and thus could accumulate only one goal and three assists in the Premier League. But, as he was fully fit and free of injuries ahead of the beginning of this season, Pogba was expected to be back at his best again. However, things haven't quite gone along the expected lines as he has neither contributed with goals nor assists in the three Premier League games Manchester United have played so far. The transfer speculations to Real Madrid have played some part in contributing to the dip in his performances as well but there's no denying the fact that the Frenchman has been far from his best.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Neil Hall

As the Premier League approaches the penultimate gameweek of the 2019-20 season, the race for the top four looks to be going down to the wire. Chelsea, Leicester City and Manchester United won their respective matches in the previous gameweek and they will be keen to carry that momentum into their last two league encounters this season.

Apart from the Champions League spots, Europa League berths are also up for the grabs with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur looking to secure European football next season. Here, we have a look at five in-form players who could make a difference to their team’s fortunes in the upcoming gameweek and help you Nostragamus fantasy managers.

Player: Nick Pope

Team: Burnley

Match: Norwich City vs Burnley

Nick Pope has been an absolute revelation and the English goalkeeper’s performances this season has put him in the reckoning for the Three Lions�first-choice shot-stopper. He has kept 14 clean sheets for Burnley and been one of their most influential players this season.

The fact that he has an organised backline ahead of him does make life in goal easier for him. That said, he’s come to his side’s rescue plenty of times this campaign. Having him in goal is a safe and smart choice, especially when considering Burnley’s recent form as well as the fact that Norwich are relegated and might just be going through the motions.  

Player: Anthony Martial

Team: Manchester United

Match: Manchester United vs West Ham United

The most in-form striker in the Premier League, no player in the league has scored more goals in all competitions in 2020 than the Frenchman’s 12. He has netted six times since Project Restart �the most by any player �and has also provided three assists.

Besides his goal return, Martial’s frightening movement and ability to stitch play together in United’s attacking-third has been a source of nightmares for opposition defences. He is currently enjoying his best-ever season, having found the back of the net 22 times for the Red Devils in the 2019-20 campaign.

Player: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Team: Arsenal

Match: Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be in a confident frame of mind when he leads the Gunners out for their midweek clash against Aston Villa. The Gabonese striker netted twice in Arsenal’s FA Cup semi-final win against Manchester City over the weekend and he will be looking to continue his scoring form against Villa.

Third in the Premier League’s Golden Boot race with 20 goals this season, Aubameyang has two games to add to his tally and overtake Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, who has 23 goals but only one remaining game to play in the ongoing campaign. Aubameyang also netted the winner against Aston Villa in their first league meeting this season and he will be looking for a repeat of that on Tuesday.

Player: Mohamed Salah

Team: Liverpool

Match: Liverpool vs Chelsea

Liverpool and Mohamed Salah will want to finish their last match of the season at Anfield in style before lifting their first Premier League title in 30 years. Their Egyptian talisman has enjoyed another productive season with the Reds and is their top-scorer in the league with 19 goals.

He could have had even more with better finishing in the last couple of gameweeks and will be looking to add to his tally against Chelsea’s frail defence. Salah scored a stunning goal against Chelsea in the Blues�last visit to Anfield in the league and one wouldn’t put it past him to score more goals at the expense of his ex-club at the home of the champions.  

Player: David Silva

Team: Manchester City

Match: Watford vs Manchester City

A loyal servant and a club legend, David Silva hasn’t had as much of an influence on City’s ongoing campaign as he has in past seasons. Competing in his last full season with the club, Silva seems to be reminding everyone of what they are going to miss once he leaves the club following 10 years of exemplary service.

Renowned for his quality on the ball, the Spanish playmaker has registered at least 10 assists across all competitions in each of his 10 seasons with the club. His recent exploits over freekicks that’s seen him hit the back of the net twice shows that he continues to improve at the age of 34. With just a couple more league games left to play before calling time on his spell with City, you can rest assured that he will be looking to go out with a bang.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Pete Powell

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Manchester United to enjoy the pressure of fighting for a place in the top four after needing a 19-game unbeaten run just to give themselves a chance of a return to the Champions League next season.

United rarely hit the heights of recent weeks in beating Crystal Palace 2-0 on Thursday as goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, allied to a helping hand from VAR, kept a top-four finish in their own hands.

Solskjaer's men remain in fifth but moved back level on points with Leicester, who they face on the final day of the season, and to within one point of third-placed Chelsea.

"We need to smile, we have earned this right. No-one thought in January that we would be in with a shout for top four," said Solskjaer.

"These are the games that matter. That is the thing at Manchester United, you have to step up and show your personality."

Solskjaer bemoaned having 48 hours' less preparation time than Chelsea for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final, but that made little difference to the Norwegian's team selection with only two changes from the side that started Monday's 2-2 draw with Southampton.

Fatigue seemed to play a factor in a slow start from the visitors and Solskjaer warned his side they cannot afford a repeat in a big 10 days ahead.

"Of course it's tight scheduling but we can't afford starts like that," he added. "We didn't get the rhythm in our passing but two fantastic goals won it for us."

VAR controversy

Palace have now lost six games on the spin, but Roy Hodgson believed his side did not get what they deserved, particularly with two controversial VAR reviews.

The game turned in the minutes before the break when Wilfried Zaha went down in the penalty area, claiming to have been tripped by Victor Lindelof.

Neither referee Graham Scott nor a review awarded a penalty and moments later United led.

Bruno Fernandes fed Rashford inside the area who sold Patrick van Aanholt a dummy and cut onto his right foot before finding the bottom corner for his 22nd goal of the season.

"Is the VAR broken?" tweeted Palace chairman Steve Parish.

Unfortunately for Parish and Palace, VAR was fully in operation 10 minutes into the second half when Jordan Ayew converted Zaha's low cross but was denied an equaliser by a millimetric offside decision on review.

"If there was ever a game I should be sat here congratulating the team on the performance and result tonight is the night," said Hodgson.

"Having to come to terms with something you don't deserve is very difficult."

At the other end, Rashford did not get enough power on his shot to beat Vicente Guaita and Fernandes smashed against the post.

Rashford is to become the youngest person to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester for his work campaigning against child poverty and he rounded off another fine week on and off the field with a major role in Martial's second to clinch a vital three points.

The England international burst through three Palace players before feeding Fernandes. The Portuguese's pass through the legs of Luka Milivojevic found Rashford again on the edge of the area and he cushioned a pass into Martial to slide home.

Palace's misfortune was rounded off as Van Aanholt had to be stretchered off after dislocating his shoulder in a collision with Martial, which Hodgson confirmed could see the Dutch international miss the start of next season.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Peter Powell

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to improve, saying he is open to further strengthening his attack despite their impressive goalscoring form this season.

The Old Trafford giants are on course to have two players hit the 20-goal mark in the same campaign, in all competitions, since Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez in 2010/11.

Martial's first Manchester United hat-trick, against Sheffield United last week, took him level with Rashford on 19 goals, while 18-year-old academy graduate Mason Greenwood has found the net 12 times in a breakthrough season.

"I think all three that we have talked about have had a good development this season -- but they can be so much better," he said ahead of his side's Premier League match at Brighton on Tuesday.

"All three, I'm still waiting to see them blossom because there are parts of their game that they still need to improve on."

Odion Ighalo arrived on loan in January to bolster United's attacking options and Solskjaer said the strikers know his desire for them to improve comes with a need to "make decisions for the team and the club".

"If you think you've got a divine right to be playing every game and doing so well that we're not going to look for players to replace you, you're in the wrong place," he said.

"I've been here for so many years myself 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, well, 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."

United, unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions, are sixth in the Premier League table, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the race for a Champions League spot.

Solskjaer dismissed the notion that United have an easy run-in, with matches against a group of relegation strugglers to come.

"It's the Premier League, with quality players and quality teams, so I would never ever say 'this is an easy game' in the Premier League," he said. "Absolutely no chance."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Oli Scarff

The Premier League returns after a round of FA Cup fixtures, and as it enters the final stages of the competition, the fight for Europe is sure to intensify, with Liverpool having sealed top spot and the trophy. Arsenal won their first game after the restart of the league and will look to continue their form against Norwich City, and the same can be said about Manchester United, who beat Sheffield United last time around.

As the Premier League enters the business end of the tournament, the competition for points in the fantasy league is up for grabs as well; especially for the Nostragamus fantasy managers. On this note, let's have a look at the potential high-pointers for the upcoming gameweek:

Player: Mohamed Salah

Team: Liverpool

Match: Manchester City vs Liverpool

The Egyptian king, Mohamed Salah became the first Egyptian to win the Premier League this season. He was at his lethal self this season again, and has scored 17 goals in 27 appearances this season while getting seven assists as well. Salah scored against City in their previous meeting in November as well, while scoring twice in both of Liverpool’s wins against Manchester City in their last five fixtures. After finally securing the trophy, Salah will be key in proving Liverpool are worthy champions in the first of their seven remaining matches. 

Player: Christian Pulisic

Team: Chelsea

Match: West Ham vs Chelsea

Christian Pulisic was an immediate first choice in the Chelsea lineup since joining the club after shining at Borussia Dortmund. The US International was subpar when the season began, but had seemingly hit a decent patch of form before suffering a tear in his abductor muscle on New Year's Day. He has returned strong, helping Frank Lampard to two consecutive wins, while scoring crucial goals as well. West Ham are battling relegation, having lost their two games since the restart, and a win for Chelsea would take them to third depending on the Everton vs Leicester City result.  

Player: Anthony Martial

Team: Manchester United

Match: Brighton vs Manchester United

Anthony Martial became the first player since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson to score a hat-trick in the Premier League. The striker scored the treble against Sheffield, and has a good record against Brighton, having assisted two goals in their last meeting at home. The Frenchman would want to get an early goal, keeping in mind that United have failed to win away to Brighton in their last five matches. The Seagulls have managed to stay afloat with a shock late win over Arsenal and a draw to Leicester, which took them to 15th on the table. 

Player: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Team: Arsenal

Match: Arsenal vs Norwich

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been key to Arsenal’s dismal season, having rescued the North London club on many occasions. He is second on the Golden Boot table, and edges Jamie Vardy to this spot because of his form against the bottom six clubs. He has nine goals against the bottom six this season and will look to add more teeth to the team against the bottom-placed Norwich City. With Aubameyang still chasing his 50th Premier League goal, we can expect the Gabonese striker to fire some in.  

Player: Kevin de Bruyne

Team: Manchester City

Match: Manchester City vs Liverpool

Kevin de Bruyne has been a key to Pep Guardiola’s side this season as well, but could not help his side retain the trophy for the third season. He has been at his usual best since the restart, and this could be seen with a pitch-perfect free-kick he scored to equalize against Chelsea. Having scored ten goals and 16 assists this season, he will be looking to take advantage of any complacency on Liverpool’s part, with the latter having sealed the Premier League trophy. Manchester City’s only hope for redemption is to reduce the deficit between their opponents and Kevin de Bruyne will hope to take leadership of their resurgence. 

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Mike Hewitt

The period between 2010 and 2019 was a difficult one for Manchester United. While arch-rivals Liverpool and Manchester City soared to great heights, the Red Devils found themselves in an endless circle of rebuild. 

Manchester United won just a solitary Premier League title during this period, while there was also the Europa League success along with a couple of domestic cups. Transfers haven’t always hit the mark during the last decade, with chief executive Ed Woodward, who handled the incomings and outcomings since 2013, widely criticized and ridiculed for the job he had done. 

Yet, there have been a handful of success stories with signings and here we take a look at five of the best signings that the 20-time English champions made between 2010 and 2019.

David de Gea

When Sir Alex Ferguson goes on a personal scouting mission skipping his team’s match, one should get an inkling that the player being watched must be a special talent. And that is what happened in the case of David de Gea. Signed from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011 for a fee of £18.9 million, de Gea was brought in as the long-term replacement for club legend Edwin van der Sar. 

Read | Chelsea’s top five signings from the last decade

But the Spaniard endured a rocky first season in England with his lack of physicality being targeted by opposition teams repeatedly. The next season though, de Gea played a key role in United’s title triumph and there has been no looking back ever since. The 29-year-old has racked up close to 400 appearances for the club till date, growing into one of the best goalkeepers in the game along the way.

De Gea has won the club’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award on four occasions, has been named the club’s Players�Player of the Year thrice and has won a Golden Glove as well. Last season saw a bit of decline in form, but the Manchester United No. 1 has come back strongly and continues to be a pivotal player for the Red Devils.

Robin van Persie

After getting beaten to the Premier League title in 2011-12 by rivals Manchester City on the final matchday, Sir Alex set out on a mission to add another weapon to his attacking arsenal. And in came Robin van Persie from Arsenal, after having had a whirlwind season during which he had finished as the league’s top scorer.

Read | Manchester City’s top five signings from the last decade

And it turned out to be a masterstroke by Ferguson as van Persie set about on a mission to bring back the Premier League trophy to Old Trafford, banging in goals left, right and centre. The sensational volley from the edge of the box against Aston Villa on the day that the title triumph was confirmed for United will remain long etched in the memories of the Red Devils�supporters.

Van Persie duly delivered title no. 20 to Manchester United in his first season, scoring 30 goals along the way. But Ferguson’s retirement in the aftermath seemed to have an adverse effect on his stint at the club. The Flying Dutchman never really reached the same heights under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal and ended up leaving in 2015 after having scored 58 goals in 105 games for the club. His stint may have been short, but the £24 million that United paid for van Persie seems like a bargain.

Juan Mata

One of the signings of David Moyes�short and forgettable stint at Old Trafford, Juan Mata arrived at Manchester United from rivals Chelsea in January 2014, after having been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge by Jose Mourinho.

Read | Juventus�top five signings from the last decade

The Spaniard may not have reached the same heights as he did at Chelsea, but the fact that he has survived three managerial changes and has been an important player of the squad along the way makes him a worthy inclusion in this list. Mata is just one-match shy of 250 appearances for Manchester United and has scored 48 goals for the club, including a memorable bicycle kick against bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield.

Mata has often had to deal with being in and out of the side, but every time he has come back stronger and has contributed with some important goals for the club along the way, while also taking up a senior leadership role, helping out the youngsters and the newcomers in the squad.

Anthony Martial

The Frenchman signed for Manchester United from AS Monaco on the transfer deadline day in 2015, for a fee that could rise up to £58m with bonuses, which made him the world’s most expensive teenager at the time. And when Martial scored his first goal for United, against Liverpool, on his debut, the investment already seemed worth it.

Read | Inter Milan’s top five signings from the last decade

Martial finished his first season at Old Trafford as the top scorer, but the arrival of Jose Mourinho the subsequent season saw his form dip. Following that, the 24-year-old endured a couple of inconsistent campaigns, although there were quite a few performances during that period showcasing the potential he possessed. 

The Frenchman seems to be back to his best this season, enjoying a productive campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after having been thrust with the responsibility of being the club’s lead striker. So far in his time with Manchester United, Martial has scored 64 goals in 208 appearances. With his best years ahead of him, that tally is ought to grow should the club keep hold of him.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

He came, he saw, he conquered. Zlatan Ibrahimovic might not have been with Manchester United for a long time, but the impact that he made in a short spell will be ever-lasting. Signed for free after his contract with PSG had expired in 2016, there were a lot of questions over his signing with many feeling he might not be able to cope up with the rigours of English football at his age.

But Zlatan silenced all the naysayers and did it in some style. The iconic Swede kicked off his tenure at the club by firing them to the Community Shield triumph on his debut and then went on to score on his Premier League debut as well as his home debut at Old Trafford, soon becoming a fan favourite. The striker soon went on to become the oldest player (35y 125d) to score 15 PL goals in a single season.

Read | Barcelona’s top five signings from the last decade

Perhaps his most important performance came in the EFL Cup final against Southampton as he scored a double, including the match-winning goal, to lead United to another trophy, while he also won the Europa League trophy �the only European success in his gloried career. 

A serious injury sustained towards the end of his debut season meant his future at the club was cast in doubts. But Zlatan made a strong recovery and added another goal to his Manchester United tally, before eventually leaving for LA Galaxy in March 2018. During his time, the Swede made 53 appearances for the club, bagging 29 goals and setting up 10 more. His aura, his persona will always be cherished by the supporters.

Big money signings, super competition, tough conditions and an ever-looming probability of finding competition from any club one might face, these are the components that make Premier League the best in the world and this is why players come here to prove themselves. However, the Premier League is simply not everyone's "cuppa". Today, we are going to discuss the names who were dubbed "the-next-thing" and how they have become "the-next-whatever" in the Premier League.

Player: Jordan Pickford

Team: Everton

The English number one is probably one of the most overrated players in the league this season and his antics can make anyone go "how is he still in the top flight?" 

To the 25-year-old's defence, Everton's splurge in the summer bought them a lot of quality up front, but in the defence, everyone apart from Digne has shown a lack of solidity. But nothing can justify Pickford's abysmal form between the sticks, conceding 38 goals in just 26 games. He has managed a meagre 63 saves in Premier League this season. For a goal-keeper of a 35 million price tag, buyers would certainly settle for anything better than this. 

Player: Moise Keane

Team: Everton

Let's just face it, a young player and Mino Riola is never a good combination to have in the first place and it would be harsh to slay Moise just now given he is just 19 and Premier League is not an easy environment to fit in. But, one goal and one assist in 20 appearances is certainly not something you call "talent". Though he has shown flicks and tricks now and then but that is simply not enough to keep him off this list. 

Moise Keane joined Everton on the back of a good season with Juventus scoring six goals in just 13 appearances. But since his big-money signing to England, he has found it exceptionally hard to find his feet. If he becomes better with age is yet to be found out but his blocky movement and lack of game-reading are not going to take him very far, that is certain.

Player: Wilfried Zaha

Team: Crystal Palace

Wilfred Zaha is one of the players who would make the defenders turn and break a few ankles too but when it comes to the end-product, they would fail to score in an empty net. The former Manchester United graduate has been the "most exciting talent" for a very long time now and given his ability on the ball, it is a shame that he has still not found his mojo.

Zaha is fast, direct and gives the right backs a tough time defending him on the flanks but when it comes to scoring goals or creating them, he still lacks the precision. He has scored just three goals and provided five assists in his 26 games. For someone who completes almost 5 dribbles a match, it is astonishing to know that he manages to make a key pass only once a game. As if he forgets that it is the goals that win matches.

It is high-time the Ivorian started adding meaning to his 55 million transfer value otherwise, he will be remembered for the wrong reasons.

Player: Declan Rice

Team: West Ham United

Decla Rice's performance for the Hammers this season is something he would want to forget very soon. He has featured in every game for the East London outfit but his presence on the field has amounted to nothing meaningful. 

Rice has been spoken of as one of the most exciting talents in the league but has failed to live up to the expectations till now. He has shown good defensive intent with 51 interceptions in the league but his sheer lack of ability to create something from deep has cost West Ham as they have managed just 30 goals and are in the 18th place in the league. 

Player: Anthony Martial

Team: Manchester United

One needs to do exceptionally bad to be on the list above Jesse Lingard but given that Martial is still a regular in the team, speaks volumes about the position Manchester United are in. Since his big-money signing in to Old Trafford, Martial has been extremely inconsistent. Some times, he has shown glimpses of a player from another planet altogether while for the rest of the times, he has been just any player one can find in an amateur league.  

With Rashford out with a long-term injury, the onus was on Martial to carry the attack but his nine goals in 20 games have only deepened the woes of Ole. Although he scored a vital goal against Chelsea, it is not going to be enough if he starts scoring more regularly. And if Manchester United are having to buy Odion Ighalo from Chinese League to find a replacement for someone, you don't need this article to know that the player is overrated. 

Feature image courtesy: AFP/ JUSTIN TALLIS/ OLI SCARFF

 

Manchester United offered a small glimpse into what could be a promising future as the attacking triumvirate of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood all scored in a comfortable 3-0 Europa League win over Partizan Belgrade in midweek.

Even given the modest nature of the opposition, the sight of all three strikers scoring was a welcome one for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has seen his side struggle for goals this season.

Solskjaer recognised the importance of a good victory by picking a stronger team than for his side’s three previous Europa League matches and his demand for "front-foot" football was heeded.

At 18, Greenwood offers hope of what may come as a natural goalscorer, but it is on Martial and Rashford's shoulders that United's hopes for the season lie.

Solskjaer's decision with the backing of the club's senior figures to ship out Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez in the summer transfer window have left the Norwegian with precious few attacking options, so Martial and Rashford have to step up.

Rashford has already grabbed nine goals this season and is well on course to beat his previous season’s best of only 13.

But that included a run of just one in nine games, which largely coincided with Martial’s absence with a thigh injury.

The Frenchman has scored in five of the seven matches he has started for the Reds this season since taking the number nine shirt off Lukaku, but importantly has also liberated Rashford by easing the burden on the England international.

Martial is more comfortable than his strike partner with his back to goal and can act as the perfect foil for Rashford, Daniel James and Greenwood cutting in from wide areas.

Back to a position he feels more comfortable in, Rashford has netted five times in his last six games.

With Paul Pogba is expected to remain out through injury until at least the start of December, Martial and Rashford will have to be United’s go-to stars in the intervening period.

That includes Sunday’s home game with Brighton in the Premier League, with Graham Potter’s men two points and places above United in the table.

A 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend sapped the enthusiasm from a mini-revival for Solskjaer's side after beating Norwich convincingly in the league, Chelsea away in the League Cup and becoming the first side this season to take Premier League points off Liverpool.

And despite the scoreline, Solskjaer still was not entirely pleased with his side's showing against Partizan.

"Sometimes you get that with a young team, which we have,�said Solskjaer of his side's inconsistency.

"The game against Partizan was one where you can fill your boots after 60 minutes, but the last half an hour was sloppy.

"We are still not consistent enough in our performances from game to game or within the game. But it will come.

"It keeps improving and I think when we get through this, the boys will have learned a lot."

The question remains how much time Solskjaer will be given if results do not improve quickly.

To stick around, he needs Martial and Rashford to deliver on their enormous potential and repay the faith he showed in getting rid of Lukaku.

Featured image courtesy: AFP/ Oli Scarff

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Anthony Martial is scoring more because he is smiling more as the Frenchman's return to action coincides with an upturn in form for Manchester United.

Martial scored in both of the games he has started since coming back from a thigh injury -- against Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League and at Norwich City last weekend -- as United bounce back from a miserable start to the season by going unbeaten in four matches in all competitions.

"Anthony looks happier. He seems happy. He is an infectious boy. You can see he is happy here and that rubs off on everyone and it's great to see," United boss Solskjaer told reporters on Friday.

"The mood with the whole group, it's miles better on the training ground

"The players encourage each other, so it's nice to be a manager when you see them come out and wanting to do extras, so we are improving."

Read | In-form Rashford faces fitness test ahead of Bournemouth clash

Martial's form and mood is just what Solskjaer needs, having handed Martial the Number nine shirt for the season and giving him extra responsibility for the team's goal-scoring after the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez.

"I don't think Anthony has had a long run of games as a number nine since he played there many years ago as a boy," Solskjaer said.

"Now he is maturing. He is looking more and more like a player who wants to score goals and not just show his tricks.

"As a number nine, you have to be obsessed with scoring goals.

"He has matured a lot in his behaviour on the training ground and I believe we will see the best of him in the next few years."

Martial's return has also helped Marcus Rashford, with the England forward scoring four goals in four games after a previous spell of one in nine for United.

Rashford earned comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo for his sensational free-kick that beat Chelsea 2-1 in the League Cup midweek.

Read | Manchester United's confidence on the rise, says Rashford

But to get anywhere near to the consistency of scoring that Ronaldo has shown for well over a decade, Solskjaer says Rashford needs to hunt out the simple goals, starting in the Premier League trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.

"Marcus knows he can get loads of goals, but he needs to add the scruffy ones," he said.

"Or like the tap-in against Liverpool (in the recent 1-1 draw) from a few yards after a great run and great movement.

"He is improving all the time and he didn't really see those opportunities a year ago.

"Now he is quicker at reacting and smelling a goal, and that it is worth a 40-yard sprint."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Adrian Dennis