But Solskjaer has already been impressed by the manner in which Rashford has shown his commitment to the club during his recuperation.

“When it’s tactical meetings towards games, he’s not been involved but he’s at the training ground every day,” Solskjaer said.

“His life is Man United. He’s watching the academy boys, his nephew, he’s in and around the place, after training he goes and sees the under-18s.

“So of course that’s the family feel we want in this club as well and to have Marcus, one of the main contributors this season on the pitch, also contribute off the pitch is important.”

The news on Rashford means the outlook is brighter for Solskjaer, with the signing of Bruno Fernandez, the return of Scott McTominay and Brazilian midfielder Fred finally finding some form, culminating in two late goals against Brugge.

The United manager quipped that he had wondered whether he would live long enough to see another goal from the 26-year-old, who was last a United scorer for the first and, until Thursday, only time in a 1-1 draw with Wolves 17 months ago.

From £47 million laughing stock to a key component in the United side who have slowly been gaining momentum under Solskjaer in recent weeks, it would be no surprise were Fred to be a pivotal figure at Goodison Park.

Signed by Jose Mourinho, Fred became a symbol of United’s decline in the final months of the Portuguese manager’s reign and Solskjaer, who handed him just seven league starts after taking over in December, required some convincing of his worth.

But Solskjaer believes something as simple as the removal of the language barrier, and the addition of the Portuguese-speaking Englishman Martyn Pert to United’s coaching team, could be the biggest factors in the Brazilian’s return to form.

“He struggled a bit with the language last season, but with Martyn Pert coming in, he’s fluent in Portuguese, so it’s easier for him to communicate,” Solskjaer said.

“Fred’s English is better, he’s got used to English football, you don’t have three or four touches, you have to play much more one and two-touch, don’t get your studs on the ball, all those little habits that Brazilian players have from a slower type of game.

“He’s really taken on the challenge this season, he had a tough first season.

“He’s a top, top human being. He’s always positive, he works hard and tries his best. He’s a tough lad, he’s mentally a very strong lad.”

As United’s season was unravelling under Mourinho last season, Fred cut an isolated figure, widely criticised by supporters, and his upturn in form, following a late return to pre-season and a slow start to the campaign, has become emblematic of a far happier club.

In this most unpredictable of races for a top-four finish, that target remains a realistic one for Solskjaer, especially if his side stretch their unbeaten run to eight games at Goodison.

Given Manchester City’s problems with Uefa, fifth place could be sufficient to qualify for Champions League football although, even with the Europa League also offering United a potential avenue to Europe’s top competition, Solskjaer has no interest in aiming for anything other than the top four.

“We feel we’re in good form and Sunday is going to be a massive game for us because Everton, of course, want to be in the challenge as well,” he said.

“So it’s a big game, a big test of how far have we come? Brugge are the only team in the last seven games who have scored against us so hopefully we can keep the clean sheets going and hopefully score a goal.

“We want to get into the top four. We know we have to improve and that has to be our focus because in the end we want to challenge for the top.”