Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has thrown his weight behind Ole Gunnar Solskjær for moving on the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku.

Sanchez and Lukaku both secured switches to Inter Milan this month, ending torrid spells at United. Sanchez joined the Italian side for a season-long loan, while Lukaku moved to Antonio Conte’s side on a permanent deal.

Solskjær has opted to give younger talent a chance at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have been handed the responsibility as the club’s leading strikers, while wingers Mason Greenwood and Daniel James have taken up the void left by Sanchez, report the Daily Mail.

And Ferdinand, 40, has praised the approach taken by Solskjær to move the pair on this summer in favour of giving youth players a chance to shine.

He told BT Sport: ‘I think there’s been some clear thinking from Ole Gunnar Solskjær. The reaction has been quite negative from this window but what I can see which is positive is a clear picture from Ole in that he wants to bring young, hungry players into this football club.

‘He doesn’t want any complacency, he doesn’t want people coasting and anyone in that category has been shipped out or they’re going to be on their way. He’s made that very clear and apparent to those people and I think it’s a step in the right direction.’