Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects Alexis Sanchez to fit into new-look Manchester United

The United interim has thrown his support behind the Chilean, who has struggled at Old Trafford since joining in the 2018 January transfer window

Alexis Sanchez will make his return to action with Manchester United against Newcastle on Wednesday and caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects him to fit right into his new-look, goal-hungry side.

Sanchez has endured a difficult year at Old Trafford since joining from Arsenal in a high-profile transfer last January, scoring just four goals and registering only seven assists in the time since.

The 30-year-old was dropped by Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer’s predecessor, on several occasions and most recently suffered a hamstring injury which ruled him out of Mourinho’s final games in charge.

After a month-long layoff, which included a return to his native Chile, Sanchez resumed training at Carrington before Christmas and is ready to play a part in the trip to St James’ Park.

“He’s had some great training sessions the last few days,” Solskjaer said after United’s 4-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday. “He wanted to be here today but we have to manage him, he’s been out for a month.

“But he’ll be involved, yes. He wants to play all the time, he’s one of those characters. He put himself available but it was a few days too early for him. He’s not had enough fitness or whatever, but he’s champing at the bit.”

Solskjaer recently described Sanchez as a “workaholic”, having been impressed with his attitude in training, and he believes the Chilean will suit the style of play he is encouraging at Old Trafford.

“I think he’s a player that would benefit from the interchanging, the rotation, the movement,” Solskjaer said. “The more chances you create, the more times you get the ball into the final third; he’ll be an asset for us.

“I think he’s looking forward to it. It certainly looked like it yesterday in the session. He scored quite a few nice goals so that was encouraging.”

Marcus Rashford left the pitch limping after catching the eye in Sunday’s win over Bournemouth, though Solskjaer expects the 21-year-old to be available for Wednesday’s trip north.

After victories by scorelines of 5-1, 3-1 and 4-1, Solskjaer hopes his new era at United can produce its first clean sheet against Newcastle and called for his players to show greater concentration at the back.

“We’ve conceded three goals from three set pieces. Today they had the one chance they had,” Solskjaer said after the Bournemouth win.

“We don’t concede too many in open play and that’s great, but we have to concentrate. My explanation would be 3-0, game won, settle down, but a lack of concentration for one little second and that’s enough.

“We saw it from the side that they were going to do that little run with [David] Brooks. It’s difficult to shout the instructions here, it was easier back home. They could hear me there!”

Rashford left Sunday’s game with a limp but Solskjaer isn’t too concerned (AFP/Getty Images)

Eric Bailly’s straight red card against Bournemouth and subsequent three-match suspension does not help matters, especially given Chris Smalling’s foot injury.

Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones are United’s only fit and recognised centre-backs, but Solskjaer is confident that Lindelof and Jones alone will be sufficient.

“That’s enough isn’t it? That’s enough with two! We’ll have to look at it,” he said. “Of course we’ve got [Matteo] Darmian, he can play as a centre-back. Rojo, no. I don’t think he’ll make it. It’ll be probably Darmian as the backup centre-back.”