Greenwood reveals footballing idol

Mason Greenwood told us recently that Wayne Rooney was the footballer he most admired when growing up.

Manchester United's leading all-time scorer was somebody for the schoolboy striker to idolise and he is thrilled to be following in the club legend's footsteps by representing the first team at Old Trafford.

Rooney, like Greenwood, broke into the senior game at a very young age and is returning to these shores to be player-coach at Derby County in the new year, following a stint with DC United in MLS.

"“I’ve always looked up to Wayne Rooney,”" he told MUTV.

"“He’s the leading goalscorer and was always scoring goals and always being the man for the team so I was looking up to him."

When asked what was it about Rooney's game that most impressed him, he added: ”Just his shots really! He would shoot from anywhere, wouldn’t he? He can score from any angle or any distance and he’s been great."“"

The 18-year-old has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, including nine outings off the bench in the Premier League.

Last term's Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year is currently preparing for England Under-21s' clash away to the Netherlands on Tuesday night.

Mason's team-mate Tahith Chong could be involved for the hosts, after coming on as a substitute in Holland's 6-0 victory in Gilbraltar at this level on Thursday.

The friendly takes place at De Graafschap's Stadion De Vijverberg and kicks off at 17:30 GMT.