Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained why Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo got the nod over Anthony Martial in his side's hard-fought 2-1 win against Norwich City in the quarterfinal of the FA Cup on Saturday evening.
Heading into the game at Carrow Road, Martial was in red-hot form, scoring six goals in his last six starts in the English Premier League, while the Shanghai Shenhua loanee had netted four goals in four appearances in the FA Cup and Europa League.
Solskjaer made eight changes to the side that thrashed Sheffield United on Wednesday, one of which saw Ighalo replace Martial in attack.
The Norwegian football tactician has admitted that he wanted to give the Frenchman a rest as well as stick to the same set of players that saw off Derby County in the fifth round.
Speaking to the BBC post-match, Solskjaer stated : "We made many changes, we still think the players who played 120 minutes will be ready to play on Tuesday. The rhythm and the tempo wasn’t there but we’re happy to be through.
“Anthony has done well and come on and did brilliant, but Odion gives me a chance to rest Antho and he’s a proven goalscorer. He’s important for us and great around the dressing room."
“Anthony has done well and come on and did brilliant, but Odion gives me a chance to rest Antho and he’s a proven goalscorer. He’s important for us and great around the dressing room."
Ighalo's 51st minute opener was cancelled out by Norwich City's Todd Cantwell from distance, before skipper Harry Maguire grabbed the winner in extra-time.
Igho Kingsley
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