Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backs Anthony Martial to follow Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps after signing new Manchester United contract Anthony Martial signed a new long-term Manchester United deal on Thursday Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Martial can become a 20-goal-a-season player United are in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon away to Leicester By Chris Wheeler for MailOnline Published: 08:46 GMT, 1 February 2019 | Updated: 08:59 GMT, 1 February 2019 Viewcomments Anthony Martial can follow Cristiano Ronaldo’s example and realise his world-class potential at Manchester United, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Frenchman has signed a new £200,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford, committing himself to United until 2024. Solskjaer believes that Martial only needs to look at what Ronaldo has achieved in his career since making his name at United to see what he can do in the game. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has heaped praise on Anthony Martial after he signed a new contract Martial put pen to paper on a five-year contract worth £200,000-a-week at Old Trafford ‘Cristiano was the best, the way he's changed to now,’ said Solskjaer. ‘‘That's up to any player if you make a decision on how to develop your own career. 'You've got to model yourself on someone and you've got to have more challenges ahead. ‘I spoke (to him) about my experience at this club what he can achieve. You talk about Cristiano's career, what he's made, how he's got there and all the fantastic players we've got. 'Anthony wants to be a part of this, and the club have got a top player there. ‘I know how much this club can give to your career and I think by being honest with him it's the best place to be. I made my career and it was easy to sell the club to Anthony, but he knows what we're capable of. Solskjaer backs Martial to replicate the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo at United in coming years Solskjaer believes Martial can become a 20-goal-a-season player over the coming years ‘He's a fantastic finisher with great ability. He's young, he's intelligent, he knows his football. 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.’ Solskjaer revealed that Martial still sees himself as a centre-forward rather than a winger, but believes that both he and Marcus Rashford need to net more simple goals if they are going reach the level where they are score 20 per season. ‘He has the capability,’ added the United caretaker boss. ‘I'd like him to make a few more runs in behind because he doesn't miss chances, he's a fantastic finisher. He doesn’t miss chances but he needs to get more chances. 'You've got to sniff some scruffy goals at times. He and Marcus score loads of worldies but those tap-ins that I used to score make all the difference. ‘Anthony's preferred position would probably be No.9. Most of them want to play through the middle. We want them to rotate, interchange, you've got to get into the box to score. ‘They can have healthy competition but they can also create a relationship and get an understanding of each other because both are very good coming in off the left. When they play central they go in and out so in the coming years we'll see loads of combinations.’ Solskjaer is hopeful that Martial’s contract might persuade Rashford and goalkeeper David de Gea to agree new terms. United are also in discussions with Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Ashley Young over shorter term deals. ‘It's a confirmation that we are happy with him and we believe in him he's got fantastic potential. He's had ups and downs. He's been top scorer but 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. ‘The club is working on a few players. I don't know how far (it has got) but it's a statement from the club we want to keep our best players. I hope so.’ Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility