PREMIER LEAGUE MASON CAN BE ATROO GREAT

Reds legend Yorke tips Greenwood to be a sensation for both United and England

MASON GREENWOOD has been backed to handle the pressure and expectation of becoming Manchester United and England’s next great hope.

At just 18, Greenwood has established himself as a Reds regular after a stunning breakthrough season in which he has scored 13 goals for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Those exploits have put the precociously-talented United forward firmly in the frame for a place in the England squad for next year’s European Championship.

Former Reds striker and treble-winner Dwight Yorke believes Greenwood has the world at his feet and is destined to become a major star for club and country.

And he feels Greenwood deserves comparison with United and England recordscorer Wayne Rooney, for the way he has burst on to the scene at a similar age.

“In terms of what he’s done, you’ve got to put him up there with the likes of Rooney in the way he’s progressed,” said Yorke.

“But in terms of Rooney, he’s slightly different. Rooney emerged as a sort of No.10 in his era. Mason is more of a winger who likes to attack – he’s not seen as a centre forward.

“But, pound for pound, he looks equally impressive in terms of what he’s done. I feel he has all the ingredients.

“At this stage, before his 19th birthday, Mason’s scored more goals than Marcus Rashford, so he’s obviously making immense strides.

“He’s come through the academy and embraced it in such a way that he’s got himself in the team on a consistent basis and picked himself in the starting XI.

“What I like about him is that he’s got a really cool demeanour and seems very level-headed. He doesn’t seem to get above his station.

“I often look at your persona, your mentality as a player. Forget the football side, because that speaks for itself on the pitch.

“But the way Mason conducts himself and goes about it, he doesn’t seem to seek the limelight, which is a rare thing for a young player.

“Often these players want the fast cars, the big cash – they want everything. But I like what I’m seeing.

“Can he now go another step? You’ve got to remember this kid is only 18, but you just can’t help it because he’s playing at such a high level for such a high-profile team, that the publicity comes with it, the scrutiny comes with it, and it’s all about how you handle it.

“We’ve seen the likes of Rashford make the step up.

We knew Greenwood had lots of talent but what he’s done so far, throughout the (all competitions) (all competitions): As a teenager

Whole career

United ranks, he’s been a revelation.”

The decision to postpone Euro 2020 because of Covid19 has given Greenwood an extra year to play his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Yorke (above), 48, is convinced it will be hard for the England boss to leave Greenwood out of his squad if the teenager continues to perform for the Red Devils.

“When you play for United, probably the biggest club in the world, you’re always going to attract attention,” added Yorke. “We saw Theo Walcott go to the World Cup at a very young age in 2006, and in England they’ll always build young players up quickly.

“This is where the manager has got to be protective of his players and make sure he keeps his feet on the ground and continues to focus and develop his game.

“But with the Euros having been postponed, it gives him another year to develop and he’s a future England player, without a doubt.”