WHY GREENWOOD IS A RARE TALENT IN WORLD FOOTBALL

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood is a ‘ridiculous’ talent who has everything it takes to succeed at Old Trafford.

That’s the view of the teenager’s former coach – and United’s current Under-23s assistant – Quinton Fortune.

The South African was speaking on the latest episode of UTD Podcast, which is available to listen to now on Deezer, and he could barely hide the high regard in which he views Greenwood, comparing him to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the way he looks to slide the ball through defenders’ legs when finishing.

“Mason is fortunate he’s got Ole as a manager. Obviously there’s all the coaches he’s had through his youth-team career but he couldn’t ask for a better manager because Ole’s done it at the highest level,” Fortune told us.

“There’s not many players in world football that are able to go both ways like Mason does. Equally, left and right foot, he’s ridiculous.

“I thought he was left-footed and then he takes penalties with his right! And I’ve seen him take a free-kick with his right foot, his left foot.

“I’m like ‘what’s wrong with you!? Just pick one! Are you okay?’”

Mason’s ability to use both feet isn’t the only quality which has impressed the former Red – Fortune has also been taken aback by our no.26’s willingness to better himself by going the extra mile off the pitch.

“This is how amazing Mason is and why he’s a little bit different,” Quinton added.

“I’m walking through the building at the Aon Training Complex and there’s a computer room where the analyst team work.

“Mason was in there, looking at games and how he can do better. He’s on it. He’s just a natural. He’s an unbelievable finisher. He’s the real deal.”

It’s been a stellar breakthrough campaign for Greenwood so far, with the forward netting 12 goals in all competitions at a rate of one every 144 minutes.

When asked if Mason had any weaknesses, Fortune pretty much drew a blank.

“I’m waiting for him to have a burst of speed but he’s so good around the box. Stepover, boom! He’s just created that one little yard for him and boom!

“As a defender, which way do you show Mason? He can go right, he can go left. I don’t even know, the guy’s got everything.”