Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Marcus Rashford will soon rediscover his devastating pre-lockdown form for Manchester United.
The England international is yet to score since the restart after recovering from a back injury. He was guilty of missing two glorious chances in the 3-0 win against Sheffield United last week – but still set up two of the goals in Anthony Martial’s hat-trick.
That has been enough to encourage Solskjaer – but the United manager is convinced Rashford will soon add to the 22 goals he’s scored for club and country this season.
“Of course Marcus has been out for a while, but I think he’s looked sharp,” said Solskjaer. “He came on and looked sharp against Norwich.
"Against Sheffield United he missed one or two chances, but the goals he created are what we’re focusing on and he’s on his way to the best season ever.
“I’m looking forward to him getting more minutes and he’ll definitely score a goal soon.”
Rashford starts alongside Martial and Mason Greenwood as United face Brighton tonight.
Paul Pogba also gets his second start since recovering from an ankle operation.
Brighton vs Manchester United team news and lineups
Brighton XI: Ryan, Duffy, Dunk, Burn, Lamptey, Propper, Stephens, Bissouma, Montoya, Mac Allister, Connolly
Subs: Maupay, Trossard, Gross, Murray, Mooy, March, Schelotto, Button, Bernardo
Man Utd XI: de Gea, Wan Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Pogba, Matic, Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford, Martial
Subs: Bailly, Mata, Andreas Pereira, Fred, James, Romero, Ighalo, McTominay, Williams
Referee: Andre Marriner
United are on 14-game unbeaten run, but go into that game in sixth place and five points behind Chelsea in fourth.
Solskjaer added: “I think there are many teams in that battle for third fourth - Leicester, Chelsea, us, Wolves doing really well. Tottenham, Arsenal and Sheffield United want to put a run together and put a challenge in there.
“It’s exciting for fans. We’ve been waiting for football that matters, we want fans in the stadiums, but we can sit back and watch exciting games.
“The players are working really hard and want to do as well as they can and for me as a team we’re trying to implement our ideas. Talk about 14 games - we can talk about the next one, go into the next game knowing you’ve won the previous game and it’s a good place to be in.”
Solskjaer added: “I think every year you’re in the Champions League is a great experience. For the players it’s a step forward. For us it’s what we’re striving to do - winning trophies and we need to focus on one game at a time.
“There are so many teams that want that place. We can’t get distracted about looking too far ahead.”
