Solskjaer heaps praise on goalscorer Greenwood

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested that Manchester United Academy forward Mason Greenwood could start the opening Premier League match of the season, after a couple of impressive Tour 2019 performances against Perth Glory and Leeds United.

The 17-year-old made his first-team debut during the second half of 2018/19 and he is currently among a batch of homegrown players that the manager has taken abroad this summer.

Greenwood was excellent when making his first appearance of the pre-season tour last Saturday and he scored a maiden goal in senior football, against our old rivals from Yorkshire, on Wednesday.

Latching onto an excellent cross from new signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mason executed a composed finish into the net and later earned deserved praise from a satisfied Solskjaer.

“Of course, we’ve been delighted with the goal he scored,” said Ole, during his post-match press conference in Australia. “It’s important for scorers to get that goal, even though I’ve always said we know he’s capable of scoring goals. The first one is going to be a weight off his shoulders. I think with his movement and his cleverness, he’s going to be a very good player, the young boy.”

Expanding on his admiration for Greenwood, Solskjaer continued: “He can play all of the front-three positions, or across the front four, as he can play no. 10, no. 7, no. 11 and no. 9. He’s a natural footballer with his left foot, coming in, but he’s got two feet and can play anywhere along the front.

“He’s just a natural. When he takes a penalty with his right, then takes a penalty with his left, free-kicks with his left, free-kicks with his right. He is almost what you’d call 50-50, maybe 51-49 left-footed. You can see we’ve got a talented boy there and he’s every opportunity to make it as a Manchester United player. Of course, it’s also going to be about luck. He must stay clear of injuries, be professional and I’m sure he’s going to grab his chance. Everything is there for him.”

When asked specifically if Greenwood could start the first match of the Premier League season, which is against Chelsea at Old Trafford on 11 August, Solskjaer was clear in his response.

“He’s got a chance to start that one, definitely,” said Ole. “He’s more than capable. He’ll always be there in and around the box, creating chances, and I won’t say that’s not a possibility. No, it’s a good possibility if he keeps going as he does. It’s difficult to keep players out who perform well.”