How Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used Cristiano Ronaldo to convince Anthony Martial to sign new Man Utd deal

Interim Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and attacker Anthony Martial [Courtesy]

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Anthony Martial he can emulate Cristiano Ronaldo by staying at Manchester United.

Martial committed his future to United on Thursday by signing a new five-year deal worth £175,000-a-week.

The France striker looked set to leave United in the summer after falling out of favour with former boss Jose Mourinho.

But caretaker boss Solskjaer said he persuaded Martial to stay at United by telling him he could be a star at the club - just like Ronaldo.

Asked if he could emulate Ronaldo, who spent six glittering years at United before leaving for Real Madrid in 2009, Solskjaer said: "Well of course that's up to any player if you make a decision on how to develop your own career.

"Cristiano was the best, the way he's changed to now, that's the player you've got to model yourself on and you've got to have more challenges ahead of you.

"I spoke to Anthony about my experience at this club what he can achieve at this club and as I said man times, I'm here to guide players until the summer.

"You can talk about Cristiano's career, what he's made, how he's got there and all the fantastic players we've got, so I sat down with Anthony and he wants to be a part of this and we believe the club have got a top player there.

"I've been here for 15 years, coach, player, manager, and I know how much this club can give to your career. I think by being honest with him it's the best place to be. I made my career here, it was easy to sell the club to Anthony but he knows what we're capable of.

"The deal is confirmation that we are happy, with him, we believe in him, he's got fantastic potential. He's had ups and downs here, he's been top scorer, he's been developing.

"As a young lad, moving abroad, it's not easy, but he knows he's going to stay here for the coming future and I believe in him."

Martial has 10 goals this season and Solskjaer challenged the 23-year-old France international to double that tally and make it to 20 in a single campaign for the first time in his career.

"He's a fantastic finisher, great ability, he's young, he's intelligent, he knows his football," said Solskjaer.

"I'd like him to do a couple more runs in behind, but I've not seen many players with the quick feet and the skills in the last third as he has, so we're going to build his career and hopefully he'll grab the chance with both feet.

"He has the capability [to score 20 goals] but as I said, I'd like him to make a few more runs in behind because he doesn't miss chances."

Martial and Paul Pogba are both expected to be fit for United's trip to Leicester on Sunday.

Martial missed the 2-2 draw with Burnley but will train today, while Pogba should recover from a knock sustained in that game.