Manchester United reserves coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists the club's young strikers will prove their value.

Italian 19-year-old Federico Macheda has only just returned after a four-month spell out with a groin injury.

Mancunian Danny Welbeck was forced to return from a educating loan spell at Preston when the 19-year-old suffered a knee injury.

Mame Biram Diouf, has also succumbed to a groin problem.

"It has been disappointing they've all had their injury problems," Solskjaer told the Manchester Evening News. "But they are young and exciting and they have got the chance of a lifetime here at United.

"They have got an opportunity to play for Manchester United for many years to come. I wish I was still in that situation.

"If I was I'd be out working long afternoons and practising my heading and shooting. They are all developing talents.

"To steal a march they have to work hard and they will. Diouf has pace, Macheda is quick, powerful and the most natural finisher and Welbeck is an all-round striker.

"It has been disappointing that their progress has been hampered by injury but, hopefully, next season they will be fit and ready to prove they should be the one challenging."