Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 5y

Manchester United boss Solskjaer believes he can get best from Alexis Sanchez

MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes he can get the best out of misfiring Alexis Sanchez.

The Chile international has scored just four goals since his move to United from Arsenal almost a year ago, but Solskjaer said the attacking philosophy of his re-energised team should suit the 30-year-old.

"I think he's player that would benefit from the interchanging, the rotation, the movement," Solskjaer said. "The more chances you create, the more times you get the ball into the final third, he'll be an asset for us.

"I think he's looking forward to it. He scored quite a few nice goals [in training on Saturday] so that was encouraging."

Sanchez has missed the last nine games with a hamstring injury and has not scored for nearly three months.

Solskjaer took the decision to leave him out of the squad for the 4-1 win over Bournemouth but he will be involved against Newcastle at St James' Park on Wednesday.

The interim coach is also confident Marcus Rashford will be fit after being withdrawn early against Bournemouth because of a groin problem, but Eric Bailly will miss out as he serves the first game of a three-match suspension.

"[Sanchez] had some great training sessions the last few days, he wanted to play [against Bournemouth] but we have to manage him, he's been out for a month," Solskjaer said.

"He'll be involved [against Newcastle]. He wants to play all the time, he's one of those characters.

"He put himself available but it was a few days too early for him. He's not had enough fitness or whatever, but he's champing at the bit.

"I think [Rashford] he'll be OK. He's been working so hard and he's been a bit tired. I think he'll be alright [for Newcastle]."

Solskjaer enlisted the help of Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the win over Bournemouth by inviting his former boss to Carrington to watch training.

It is more than five years since Ferguson retired, but Solskjaer said he is still keeping the 77-year-old "informed" about first-team matters at Old Trafford.

"I've had him for 15 years," Solskjaer said. "Obviously he's influenced me more in those 15 years than he's done this last week, but I keep him informed.

"He paid us a visit. He enjoyed his time at the training ground, we had a nice few chats us and the staff and he encouraged us.

"He knows the staff I've got are Man United through and through. He knows we're going to do whatever we can, up to the last second we're here, for Man United to do as best as we can."

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