Anthony Martial scored Manchester United’s first Premier League hat-trick in seven years as Solskjaer’s men cruised to victory over Sheffield United at Old Trafford.
Martial hat-trick inspired the Red Devils to a 3-0 Premier League win over Sheffield United and maintained their hopes of a top-four finish.
The French forward scored two goals in the opening half firing United into a seventh-minute lead when he reacted instinctively with his weaker left foot after good work from Rashford on the right flank.
Rashford and Fernandez went close as United dominated. Martial made it 2-0 in the 44th minute when he steered home a low Aaron Wan Bissaka cross amid more static defending by the visitors.
Mason Greenwood’s deflected shot sailed inches wide of the post before Martial capped a fine performance with a superb finish, dinking the ball over goalkeeper Simon Moore from another Rashford’s assist to register United’s first Premier League hat-trick since 2013.
The hosts missed several chances to add to their tally as substitute Odion Ighalo was denied by Moore and the lively Wan Bissaka dragged his shot from 10 meters wide of the far post.
United stayed fifth in the standings on 49 points from 31 games. Two behind fourth-placed Chelsea whose game in hand is a home clash with Manchester City.
Robin van Persie was the last United player to score a treble in the league. This is a complete mission for Martial. The French man is the first Manchester United player to score a Premier League hat-trick since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Martial benefiting from Fernandes arrival
United’s decision to sell Lukaku and Sanchez to Milan in August and not buy an attacking replacement has been a talking point for the largest part of the season.
For most of the campaign, this looked like a poor move. However, just as United’s fortunes have changed since Fernandes’ arrival in January, Martial has profited too.
In seven league games since the Portuguese arrival from Lisbon, Martial has scored 6 goals.
The French man now has 19 for the campaign. While he as a bit to do before he matches Lukaku’s 27 goals from two seasons, it is three more than the Belgian managed the last term.
This is more satisfying for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Martial’s first-half strikes were the exact kind of goals he has been imploring him to score.
Both were run towards the near post. The first tool him a bit nearer to the goal that the second. But, on each occasion, Martial found the net with a clinical first-time finish to convert low crosses from Rashford and Aaron Wan Bissaka.