OGS: Sky’s the limit for Greenwood
Red Devils looking to extend unbeaten run
LONDON: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said yesterday the “sky’s the limit” for Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, describing the 18-year-old as “way ahead” of where he was at the same age.
Greenwood has enjoyed a superb breakthrough season, claiming 13 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions.
He scored one and provided another in Tuesday’s impressive 3-0 win at Brighton and Solskjaer, a former striker at United, is excited to see what else he can do.
“We have done well over the course of the season giving him more and more exposure, more and more game time,” the United boss told a news conference ahead of today’s Premier League match against Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
“You know, it’s not easy being a young boy. He could still play in this season’s FA Youth Cup team, so he’s a young boy that we have to look after.
“But he’s performing from the bench or when he starts and he’s developed fantastically this season.
“Only the sky’s the limit. It’s up to him. He knows what he should do, can do and must do to keep on playing, but that’ll be between us.”
Asked how his development compares with Solskjaer’s own during his playing days, he said: “Mason is way ahead of what I was when I was 18, 19, that’s for sure.
“He’s got a knack of scoring goals. I don’t really want to say anything different because it’s natural for him and it was what I felt I could do well as well.
“He’s a brilliant boy to work with. He keeps on learning, keeps on making better and better decisions.”
United will try to extend their impressive 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions when struggling Bournemouth visit Old Trafford.
“I’ve got many, many reasons to play the same team, but I’ve also got a few reasons to rotate one or two that have played so well earlier in the season,” said Solskjaer.
United are fifth on 52 points with six games remaining.
They are two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and three adrift of third-ranked Leicester City.
Leicester, meanwhile, will try to stop the rot when they host Crystal Palace today.
The Foxes have claimed just two points from a possible nine since the restart against Watford, Brighton and Everton.
Goals have dried up for Brendan Rodgers’s men, with Jamie Vardy finding the net just twice in 2020.
The Foxes also have uncertainty hanging over their heads, with a local lockdown in place in Leicester due to a coronavirus spike.
Today’s visit of Crystal Palace is still due to go ahead as scheduled but shifting matches away from the King Power Stadium would be a headache.