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FA Cup | Fourth Round
Jan 25, 2019 at 7.55pm UK
 
MU

1-3

FT(HT: 1-2)
Sanchez (31'), Lingard (33'), Martial (82')

Solskjaer: United are 'making progress' in De Gea and Martial contract talks

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United are focusing on securing the future of their out-of-contract stars.

Caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are "making progress" in contract negotiations with the likes of David De Gea, Anthony Martial and Juan Mata.

With the Old Trafford giants highly unlikely to make a first-team signing this month, focus has turned to tying down players to new and improved deals.

Scott McTominay this week inked a contract until at least 2023 and negotiations continue to keep star players De Gea and Martial beyond next summer.

David De Gea is edging closer to a new United contract (John Walton/PA)

Mata, Ander Herrera and Ashley Young are out of contract at the end of the season, with Solskjaer expecting positive news soon.

"I think the club's making progress, but I leave that to the right people to do that," the United manager said.

"I don't know really how far we are away from it but hopefully we're going to have some good news in the coming weeks."

For now, the focus is on Friday's trip to Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round as Solskjaer looks to extend his club-record start to life at the helm to an eighth successive match in all competitions.

Chris Smalling has returned to training after a foot injury but is set to miss out along with Marcos Rojo and Marouane Fellaini, but Alexis Sanchez is in line to feature at his former club for the first time since leaving the Gunners last January.

Alexis Sanchez is set to face former side Arsenal (Martin Rickett/PA)

The 30-year-old has endured a difficult first year at Old Trafford and has not played since a hamstring issue issue flared up against Reading in the third round.

"He'll be involved," Solskjaer told MUTV. "I think he'll love it if the crowd turn against him.

"As a player, pride kicks in and you think 'I'll show all of you'.

"He's been fantastic in training, his attitude has been spot on so hopefully he'll enjoy the game."

Friday's match is the most eye-catching fixture of the fourth round and a chance for Solskjaer to get the one over Arsenal again.

Sir Alex Ferguson's United and the Gunners enjoyed an intense rivalry during the striker's time at the club, with the FA Cup semi-final win on the way to the 1999 treble particularly memorable.

"The semi-final in 99 is such an important game," Solskjaer said of the match remembered for Ryan Giggs' stunning solo goal.

"When Peter (Schmeichel) saves that pen from Denis Bergkamp, that gives us the advantage and we win the treble.

"If Bergkamp had have scored, they'd have won the double. That's just how small the margins are, and I think that's the standout for me.

"I was substituted so I watched Giggsy's goal from the sidelines and what a goal that was.

"I think that was the one highlight in the FA Cup, apart from walking out on the pitch at Wembley in 99.

"That was a proud moment for me because growing up in Norway that's the game you look forward to and always broadcast live on telly.

"I still remember Norman Whiteside's left-footed curler after Kevin Moran was sent off, so that was the one game that we knew we were going to watch."

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