Why Anthony Martial is thriving under Solskjaer and why it's a huge problem for Brighton

The Brighton defence have been in good form of late and they will need to maintain that run as they start their preparations to face Manchester United's inform striker Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are a lethal combination for Man UnitedAnthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are a lethal combination for Man United
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are a lethal combination for Man United

Since the restart Brighton have dealt well with the threats posed the division's leading scorers.

Arsenal 's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the second highest so far with 17 goals this season and although he had a second half effort chalked off at the Amex last Saturday, the Brighton rearguard coped pretty well.

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Leicester City's Jamie Vardy leads the way at the top of the charts this campaign with 19 goals but Vardy, who had scored in all four of his previous matches with Brighton, was well shackled by Graham Potter's men at the King Power last Tuesday.

Adam Webster injured his hamstring in the first half at Leicester and was replaced by Shane DuffyAdam Webster injured his hamstring in the first half at Leicester and was replaced by Shane Duffy
Adam Webster injured his hamstring in the first half at Leicester and was replaced by Shane Duffy

It will not get any easier however, for a Brighton defence who could also be without defender Adam Webster who pulled up with a hamstring injury in the first half at Leicester and must be doubtful for United.

Shane Duffy came on for Webster and performed well at the heart of the defence alongside skipper Lewis Dunk - and it could well be the tried and tested Duffy and Dunk combination tasked with stopping the double threat of Martial and Marcus Rashford next Tuesday.

It's a tricky dilemma for Potter as Dunk is on nine bookings and another caution (easy to get against the pace of Rashford and Martial) would see Dunk miss the Norwich and Liverpool matches.

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Martial and United were hugely impressive as they brushed aside Sheffield United 3-0 on Wednesday as the forward's maiden Manchester United hat-trick sealed a comfortable win against European hopefuls Sheffield United.

The 24-year-old endured a topsy-turvy time at Old Trafford following a fine debut campaign under Louis Van Gaal, with Jose Mourinho keen to sell an inconsistent forward who at times infuriated his manager.

But successor Solskjaer put his faith in Martial and gave him the number nine shirt back at the start of the season, and the former United striker helped him fine tune his work in front of goal.

The France international has enjoyed his best goalscoring season to date and took all three goals against Sheffield United with supreme confidence.

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"Very happy for Anthony," Solskjaer said after the match. "The third goal was a great goal, but for me the first and the second were better.

"He's in the box, ready to go. We have worked on that, getting in the box in that situation more often.

"At the near post he showed composure and I think as I said the first goal was vital the way he turns and gets himself into a position to score from Marcus (Rashford's) cross, very pleased with that.

"He's getting more and more into those position he could have had one at Spurs a great turn and finish and a great save he's in good form."

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