Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he is one of Anthony Martial's biggest critics but praised the striker after he bagged his third goal in as many games during the victory over Watford.

Martial scored the second in United's 3-0 win at Old Trafford after Bruno Fernandes has scored his first goal for the club with a first-half penalty. Teenager Mason Greenwood added the third as United moved up to fifth in the table, three points off the Champions League places.

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"I am delighted with the week Anthony has had," Solskjaer said after the France forward scored in three consecutive games for the first time since 2017. "He has got his critics and I am one of the biggest.

"He has come up with a No. 9's goal against Chelsea, he did everything to get the goal against Bruges and today is more the Anthony we know about. The skill is just mind-blowing but I want more from him."

As well as Martial, Fernandes was also central to an impressive United performance. The January signing scored from the spot and set up both Martial and Greenwood to claim the man-of-the-match award.

"In today's market, I think we got a good deal," Solskjaer said. "He has come in and done really well and given everyone a boost.

"It means more than just getting a player in. The fans are used to players with that personality, mentality and quality.

"He has come in from day one and felt like a presence in the group. Some players take some time in warming up but he felt confident right away.

"It is a bit of a mix between [Paul] Scholes and [Juan Sebastien] Veron -- the temperament of Veron and a lot of the quality of Scholesy."

While it was a positive day for Solskjaer, Martial and Fernandes, it was a quiet afternoon for Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira after both were left out of the squad.

The pair paid the price for a disappointing team performance against Club Brugge in Belgium on Thursday and Solskjaer has warned his squad that following the January arrival of Fernandes and Odion Ighalo, there is more competition for places.

"We picked a squad of 18 we felt covered all bases," Solskjaer said. "There is more competition for places so of course your standard has to improve.

"We need to be more consistent and kick on. This week has been a good one."