STAT’S MY BOY

Ole insists Greenwood’s contribution to United is far greater than just goal numbers

THERE are lies, damned lies and statistics... and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reckons the numbers are lying about Mason Greenwood.

The 19-year-old’s winning header against Brighton on Sunday night was his first Premier League goal since December 5 and only his second of the season. But Solskjaer claimed he is delighted with Greenwood’s form and that he is being unfairly judged on a Premier League drought that only came to an end after four months.

The Manchester United boss said: “In this world, we always talk about stats and goal output but the boy has played fantastically well in recent months. He keeps learning and keeps improving. He takes the ball well and runs with the ball well. We are really pleased with him.”

While he has struggled to find the net, Greenwood (right) has been one of United’s livelier all-round performers since the turn of the year.

But the Old Trafford boss admitted it was nice to see him pounce for the sort of poacher’s effort Solskjaer himself would have been proud of.

“When he gets those sort of goals, he is going to add another dimension to his game,” said Solskjaer. “He needs to add those sort of goals to his tally.”

And even if Edinson Cavani stays in Manchester only until the end of this season, he could play an important role in Greenwood’s development.

Solskjaer (with Greenwood, far right) said: “He is learning from Eddie and can carry on doing that. He has been working on his heading.”

And Greenwood himself confirmed: “I scored a header which is something I have been working on a lot behind the scenes. It’s a confidencebooster because I’ve not scored as many in the Premier League.”

With Anthony Martial likely to miss the rest of the season with a sprained knee and Marcus Rashford suffering from a knock, Greenwood will play a vital role in United’s bid to nail down the runners-up slot and go all the way in the Europa League (they play Granada on Thursday in the quarter-final first leg).

After signing a new deal that ties him to Old Trafford until at least 2025, Greenwood is clearly seen as pivotal to the team’s future.

And while it would seem an extremely long shot, a storming end to the season could yet see Greenwood have a shot at making Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros.