Ole: Lukaku is scoring the most goals in training!

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emphasised that Romelu Lukaku has a huge role to play in his Manchester United squad.

Lukaku was injured when Solskjaer first took over the reigns at Old Trafford, which meant team-mate Marcus Rashford was given a starting birth in the team. That is one the Academy graduate has taken advantage of, scoring four goals in five Premier League games.

Romelu scored goals as a substitute against Bournemouth and Newcastle, before netting another as a starter in the Emirates FA Cup tie with Reading. Solskjaer reserved special praise for the striker in his press conference to preview our Premier League game against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.

“Oh he’s a big part of this squad, most definitely,” the Reds manager told the assembled press at the Aon Training Complex.

“His personality around the place is great - there’s no one scoring as many goals as him in training, so I have the three [Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard] who have played the most, but then you’ve got Rom, you’ve got Juan [Mata] and Alexis [Sanchez]. So I’ve got a front six there that I can rotate with and Rom is definitely going to be playing games.”

While Solskjaer acknowledged that all of his attacking players want minutes on the pitch, he also said that squad rotation is part and parcel of the modern game, something our former attacker knows all too well.

“I used to be one of four strikers when we played with two,” he said. “Now we have six forwards and we play with three most of the time. So, it’ll be ok to rotate and there will be enough games.

“It’s about taking the chances when you get them. To be fair, Rom scored three already and I think Marcus has scored four. Paul’s scored four since I came too, so it’s up to the strikers to pip him,” he added.

It’s not just United’s first-team squad who have impressed Ole since he returned to the club last month.

“There’s quite a few young kids coming through,“ Solskjaer said. ”Jimmy Garner was there in Dubai. Mason [Greenwood], [Tahith] Chong and [Angel] Gomes too, so there are players there coming through. Mason, you’ve got to remember is only 17, but he’s knocking on the door to get his first appearance of course, but they’ve got the Youth Cup against Brighton this coming week as well.“

One man who has seen a plethora of young talent is Mike Phelan, who returned to the club as Solskjaer’s assistant in December and the Norwegian believes he has played a huge part in the six consecutive victories.

“Mick is absolutely brilliant,” Ole praised. “His experience, his knowledge, his personality in and around the place. It’s not just for the players, it’s not just for the coaches, it’s for the other staff as well, because we’ve been here so many years that we know people. When you know people, and you’ve known them for 20/25 years, it’s easier to create a good atmosphere.

“Mick’s tough, but he’s kind. He’s got everything that I would want in an assistant.”

Ole also reserved some kind words for Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick, who have been part of the coaching staff since the beginning of the season.

“We respect each other so much and I really value his [Phelan], Kieran’s and Michael’s opinions on team selections, on training, so that’s what it’s about. It’s a team and together we’ll achieve so much more than if I’m doing my bit and they disagree with it. It’s been a very good month so far.”