Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to hit the 20-goal mark this season.

The veteran striker already has five to his name after making a flying start to the new campaign.

Solskjaer's record is remarkable enough for a 33-year-old but even more amazing considering he has spent the best part of three seasons on the treatment table recovering from a series of knee operations.

The forward's return to fitness was one of the major reasons why Ferguson opted not to sign a replacement for departed hero Ruud van Nistelrooy during the summer.

And, the Red Devils boss sees no reason why Solskjaer should not build on the contribution he has already made.

"What Ole has achieved is a great example to everyone," said Ferguson. "He has shown so much perseverance and determination. For a player of his age to spend so long out of the game is a big thing.

"But he never doubted himself and now we can see the improvement in every game. He already has five goals to his name and he could give us 20 this season, quite easily."

With Cristiano Ronaldo ready to return after recovering from the ankle injury that kept him out of Saturday's Premiership win at Wigan and Darren Fletcher also available after being rested for the trip to the JJB Stadium, Solskjaer is not certain to keep his place.

Not that the Norwegian is likely to get too steamed up if he finds himself on the substitutes bench he has occupied so often down the years.

At 33, Solskjaer is way beyond any juvenile outbursts. All he wants to do is help United win trophies in any way he can.

"I want to be part of this team because I am quite confident it is going to be a successful one," he said. "The older you get, the closer you are to the finishing line, so it is important to enjoy every moment.

"Maybe I treasure my goals a bit more now but I don't set targets. We are a team that works together. There are no personal agendas. It is about winning something as a team."

With six points from their opening two games in Group F, another victory would virtually seal United's passage into the knockout stages with three games to spare.

Gary Neville is a possible starter at right-back in place of Wes Brown although, with Liverpool due at Old Trafford on Sunday, Ferguson is unlikely to take any risks with his captain, who sat out the Wigan win with a calf injury.