Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged Anthony Martial to replicate Cristiano Ronaldo's development... but he ALREADY has a better Premier League record after the same number of appearances Anthony Martial signed a new five-year Manchester United contract this week Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes it gives Martial a platform to kick on at United Martial's Premier League stats superior than Cristiano Ronaldo at the same stageBy Jack Bezants for MailOnline Published: 14:17 GMT, 1 February 2019 | Updated: 15:03 GMT, 1 February 2019 9 Viewcomments Ole Gunnar Solskjaer challenged Anthony Martial to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United - and it is a demand that may not be as steep as it sounds. Martial put pen to paper on a £200,000-a-week, five-year contract at Old Trafford and while United have struggled this season, Martial's form has offered fans plenty of encouragement. And should they asses the record and stats behind Martial's performances since he arrived from Monaco in September 2015, they will find more reason for belief in Solskjaer's words on Friday. 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 per week at Old Trafford MARTIAL HAS PLAYED 104 PL GAMES... HOW DID RONALDO COMPARE? Premier League Anthony Martial Cristiano Ronaldo Games Played 104 104 Games Started 79 73 Minutes Played 6,958 7,051 Goals 32 22 Mins/Goal 217 321 Assists 16 14 Goals & Assists 48 36 Mins/Goal or Assist 145 196 Shots, Total (inc. Blocks) 173 344 Shot Conversion Rate (inc. Blocks) 18.5 6.4 Chances Created (inc. assists) 122 149 Martial has played 104 Premier League games for United and has scored 10 more than when Ronaldo had played the same amount, with 32. Martial has also provided two more assists in that time - 16 compared to the 14 of Ronaldo. The France international has achieved all that in less time than Ronaldo. Martial's 104 appearances equate to 6,958 minutes on the pitch while Ronaldo's make 7,051. The one edge Ronaldo has over Martial, however, is when it comes chances created. Ronaldo had carved out 149 for his team over his first 104 United games, where as Martial has made 122. Speaking at his Friday press conference ahead of United's game against Leicester, Solskjaer said: 'Cristiano was the best. The way he's changed to now, that's up to any player if you make a decision on how to develop your own career. Martial has scored more goals in his first 104 United games than Ronaldo had Solskjaer backs Martial to replicate the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo at United in coming years '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.' Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility