Robin van Persie believes Manchester United's attackers are playing with such fun and freedom they might not even need Jadon Sancho.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has worked wonders to ensure the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Bruno Fernandes have been firing on all cylinders of late.
And having secured Champions League football for next season by finishing third in the Premier League, United could round off their campaign by lifting the Europa League next week.
If they can overcome the Spanish Europa League specialists Sevilla in their semi-final on Sunday night, a final against either Inter Milan or Shakhtar Donetsk awaits them on Friday week.
And one former United striker in Van Persie can clearly see the influence of another in Solskjaer in the team's fluent performances post-restart.
'He has had a positive influence, especially after the break,' Van Persie told Sportsmail. 'Before they were not consistent enough, they had really good games and followed it up with less good games.
'After the break they have been consistent, they have been free.
'What is happening now from Solskjaer with those five players [Martial, Rashford, Fernandes, Greenwood and Paul Pogba] is that he has given them their roles and given them confidence.
'He said, 'you are my five main guys, I trust you but you have to give it back to me.' I can see these guys are happy with this, it gave them the extra freedom.
'Sometimes you see Rashford come into the middle, sometime Martial goes to the wing. They are looking for each other, trying to play together and trying to make each other stronger and better.
'So credit to Solskjaer, that is what he has achieved. It makes it nicer to watch, it is fun now and that is what players, coaches and fans want at Manchester United.'
The positive performances in recent weeks have begged the question as to whether United need to spend in excess of £100million on Borussia Dortmund and England star Sancho this summer.
Dortmund have stuck rigidly to their asking price of £108m and there has been no direct contact from United, with Sancho already in pre-season training ahead of the new Bundesliga campaign.
Van Persie appreciates Sancho's talent but doesn't necessarily feel United should tinker with a winning formula up front.
He said: 'Do they need him? Every club could always do with the very best players. But on the other side, United are ticking now, they're doing really well.
'Sancho is very exciting, he is a young prospect with a very bright future ahead of him. He came from Manchester City and has chosen his own path, which I like.
'He went abroad, did really well there and he has the option, maybe more options. It depends now on Man United and if they are willing to go that extra mile.'
Arguably the most improved within the United ranks is French striker Martial, who has thrown off the old inconsistency and adapted well since Solskjaer made him his main centre forward.
He has scored 23 goals so far this season - one ahead of Rashford - and was the player who made the difference as United struggled to break down Copenhagen's defence on Monday night.
And Van Persie, who scored 58 goals in 105 games during his three seasons with United, believes Martial is on the cusp of being the world class player he always had the potential to become.
'He has played some world class football and been consistent, especially since the break,' said Van Persie.
'There are plenty of good players but the fans are always looking for that little bit extra and he has got that in my opinion.
'He has got that awareness, he can dribble, shoot, give assists - he was beating five players the other night.
'He sees his team-mates and he knows where he should be on the pitch and that sets him apart from the good players in my opinion. He has been proving it.'
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Saturday, August 15, 2020
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Van Persie says Man United's forward line has been set free by Solskjaer
Van Persie says Man United's forward line has been set free by Solskjaer
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