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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives verdict on new first XI

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to confirm he has settled on a first XI at Manchester United.

Solskjaer named the same side for the third Premier League match running against Bournemouth - something United had not done since November 2006 - and triumphed 5-2 in United's first five-goal haul at Old Trafford in a domestic game since Boxing Day in 2011.

United have moved up to fourth for at least five hours and their attacking trident of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, and Anthony Martial have plundered more goals than Liverpool's title-winning triumvirate.

The victory over Bournemouth marked United's first three-game winning run in the league since January of last year but Solskjaer has no interest in granting untouchable status to his starters.

"I wouldn't say that you could call it a first XI," Solskjaer said. "We know we have to use the squad, we've had players who've played and really contributed,

"I can't say this is like the XI that's [always] going to play, no. Because Eric came in today, he's important for us, Scott [McTominay] and Fred have been exceptional all season, it's not easy leaving Dan James either but we have started doing well.

"Every day and every game and every session is a chance to improve. We've seen improvement in Marcus, Mason and Anthony all season, so we will keep on improving the ones we've got but we will never stand still, we are always on the lookout for anything that is possible. You cannot think we've cracked it, as Gary [Neville] said, and the emphasis is just on improving the team all the time.

"They will improve and we’ve seen that all season they have improved a lot this season, different parts of their game, maturity. We will work with these. Marcus is on course for his best season, Anthony the same but they can still improve and there are things they know I want them to keep improving on. Mason is on his first season, fantastic, but we've always known that there's a special kid there."

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