Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compares Marcus Rashford to a young Cristiano Rolando

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compared Marcus Rashford to a young Cristiano Rolando after his young strikers starred in Thursday's 4-1 win over Newcastle United.

Anthony Martial netted a brace while Rashford and Mason Greenwood hit the target before halftime as the hosts recovered from conceding an early goal to seal victory that lifted them to seventh in the table with 28 points.

Solskjaer took off Martial, 24, in the second half, denying him the chance to become the club's first Premier League hat-trick scorer since 2013. The Norwegian said he did not want to risk injury ahead of Saturday's game with Burnley.

"He's getting fit and is playing more games. We have another match in 48 hours and I can't risk the forwards," Solskjaer, who also substituted Rashford, said.

"We don't have too many of them. It was an easy decision to take Anthony and Marcus off to get them ready for Burnley."

While Martial scored his ninth goal of the season, Rashford, 22, took his overall tally to 15 with a header.

"Marcus is a physical specimen. He is looking after himself and working hard in the gym. He's got that spring and has worked on it. It's about courage and getting up there," Solskjaer said.

"I remember a boy I used to play with who could head it well when he was close to goal. We compare him to Cristiano [Ronaldo] often, it's one of those where it can be another string to his bow because Cristiano had it when he was getting to that age."

Solskjaer also praised 18-year-old Greenwood, who has reduced Rashford's burden with nine goals in all competitions.

"Mason can hit it with both feet and he's an exceptional finisher ... we're not going to see the best of Mason for a couple of years," Solskjaer said.

"I can remember when I was 18 and I wasn't anywhere near playing at the level he is."