Football news - Solskjaer hopes Romelu Lukaku and Sanchez 'step up' in face of United injury crisis

The Norwegian interim manager could be without up to 10 senior players for the match against Crystal Palace, with three of them – Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata – all coming off during the 0-0 draw with Liverpool over the weekend.

Marcus Rashford also played with an ankle injury during Sunday’s match and is a doubt for the trip to Selhurst Park.

Academy players Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and Jimmy Garner will be involved, with only Gomes having featured in a Premier League match previously.

The other absentees include: Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia, Matteo Darmian, Nemanja Matic, Anthony Martial and 17-year-old Mason Greenwood. But, despite the long injury list, Solskjaer sees the match as an opportunity for Sanchez and Lukaku to prove themselves.

If Rashford is not fit, with the United medical staff set to work on his recovery until the last minute, the Belgian, who has been usurped in the striker’s role since Jose Mourinho left as manager, will come in.

Solskjaer insisted his relationship with Sanchez could be key. "It's a chance for them to play to their potential," he said. "Their potential is high. The two of them are good mates and they link up together.

"This might be a chance to find some form and give us a selection headache. Rom created two big chances against Liverpool. The link-up between them against Arsenal in the cup was good."

As for Lingard, Solskjaer also admitted he may have returned a bit too soon from a hamstring injury over the weekend.

"Jesse was eager, ticked all the boxes, maybe it was a couple of days early," he added. "It was Liverpool. He was desperate to play."

United are fifth in the Premier League just a point behind Arsenal in fourth.