ON ME EDINSON!

Ole says Cavani can tutor young Greenwood

MASON GREENWOOD has been told to follow in the footsteps of Edinson Cavani if he is to pick a path through his difficult second season and fulfil his massive potential.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer conceded the 19-year-old has found replicating his stunning breakthrough year a challenge.

But he insisted the example of unstinting professionalism set by Cavani, 33, on and off the pitch is starting to influence the teenager.

“Edinson’s experience can be really helpful and he is there as a mentor,” said Solskjaer, ahead of tonight’s visit by Sheffield United.

“They all have things to learn from Edinson and the more humble and hungry you are to listen, the better you will become.

“Edinson has been in every single position to score a goal or to win the ball back throughout his career and there is so much for them to learn off him.

“We think Mason is going be very important in the second half of the season but it’s not just going to happen by itself.

“He’s taken steps, he’s grown, he’s more mature and he’s been training with Cavani for half a season. He’s learning good habits.”

Greenwood enjoyed a jetheeled rise last season, scoring 17 goals. But he was sent home from Iceland following his England debut in early September after being caught breaching

Covid protocols.

And he was left out of three matchday squads this season despite being fit amid allegations his standards were slipping in training.

Solskjaer acknowledged there are pitfalls for a young player when fame and fortune come knocking, but was confident Greenwood would cope.

“It’s always a challenge. Everything is a test,” said Solskjaer (left). “We talk about the second season syndrome and if you take your eye off the ball for just a slight second, the Premier League is unforgiving.

“I’ve always said 99 per cent effort is 100 per cent failure. And of course players who ease off in training every single day a little bit – I’m not saying this is Mason – I am saying it’s the case for every single one, but it’s always a learning curve and test.

“I feel now we have maybe overcome those issues because they know my demands on the standards and habits and physical demands and the running stats.

“I look at them every game, there’s no hiding place and I’m not hiding that fact either. But when a striker of Edinson’s age runs almost 12km and chases down every time the centre-back has got the ball...

“His reaction, his work rate, his habits and the humility of coming in every single day to do your best.”

Cavani (above, celebrating with Greenwood his goal against Liverpool on Sunday) joined United at the start of October and has five goals in 18 matches.

Solskjaer said: “We could go on and on but his experience and attitude, that’s given us a lesson.”

De Gea, Wan-bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, Pogba, Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford, Cavani

Ramsdale, Basham, Ampadu, Bryan, Bogle, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, Mcgoldrick, Burke REFEREE: Peter Bankes