Follow Pogba's example, Solskjaer tells lacklustre star trio

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned Manchester

United stars Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez they should

follow Paul Pogba's example if they are to revive their careers at the club.

Lukaku and Sanchez suffered a dramatic

loss of form in the last months of Jose Mourinho's tempestuous spell in charge

at Old Trafford, while Martial was criticised by the Portuguese coach before

finding his scoring boots.

World Cup winner Pogba was another key

player who became a symbol of the club's decline in the final weeks before

Mourinho's two-and-a-half year tenure came to an end before Christmas.

But the 25-year-old Frenchman has

responded superbly to Solskjaer's first week in charge and made big

contributions to a 5-1 win at Cardiff and 3-1 home victory against

Huddersfield.

Lukaku missed those games, having been

given 'compassionate leave' by the cub, as did Sanchez who has been sidelined

since late November with a hamstring injury.

Solskjaer says Pogba deserves all the

credit for his return to form.

"I cannot do anything for their

performances on the pitch," said Solskjaer.

"Paul has done it himself. It's

up to them when they get a chance. That's the name of the game as a footballer,

you've got to do it yourself."

Solskjaer, whose side play out-of-form

Bournemouth on Sunday, said he can advise the players but ultimately it is down

to them to change their attitude.    

"I gave some guidelines of

course, on expression, freedom of expression, but that's how I've always been

as a manager. You can't tell the players what to do in this position,"

said the 45-year-old Norwegian.

"Just enjoy playing for this

club, that's the best time of your life."

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Pogba among world's 'top players' -

Pogba's rejuvenated form has certainly

been one of the key factors in Solskjaer's first games in charge, after the

midfielder's much-publicised difficulties with Mourinho.

Solskjaer reiterated that Pogba is the

sort of player United should build a team around.

"He's one of the top, top players

in the world," said Solskjaer.

"Attacking wise, he's done really

well but he's a big lad, can win headers, tackles. 

"The attitude has been perfect

and that's key, you should be tired towards the end of every single game.

"He's been top class and we're

looking to build a team around him, of course."

Solskjaer also gave 18-year-old

forward Angel Gomes an outing as a late substitute against Huddersfield and has

repeated his vow to use youngsters in his spell in charge at Old Trafford.

Midfielder Jimmy Garner, who travelled

to Cardiff last week, and forward Mason Greenwood -- both 17 -- are also

prominent in the manager's thoughts.

"As Sir Matt (Busby) once said,

if they're old enough, they're good enough," said Solskjaer.

"We're built on that tradition,

we need young players coming through, it's important in the academy.

"I am looking to bring players

through, we have top talents in the under-18s knocking on the door now.

"We've had a couple of injuries and fatigue has been involved and they're ready to step up."

AFP