HERE COMES THE WAYNE AGAIN
Greenwood is first under-18 to score six Premier League goals in single season since Rooney’s feat in 2003-04
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has some bad news for Premier League defenders – Mason Greenwood is only going to get better.
Greenwood has exploded on to the scene for Manchester United this season and his goal against Brighton on Tuesday saw him become the Premier League’s most prolific youngster since Wayne Rooney, right.
Rooney scored nine goals for Everton in 2003-04 before joining United and Greenwood’s tally of six is the most by a player aged
18 or under since then.
Greenwood, 18, also provided the assist for Bruno Fernandes’ brilliant second strike for United at the Amex and has been involved in more goals this season than any other teenager in the Premier League.
The striker has 13 goals and three assists from 40 appearances, topping Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka, 18, and Gabriel Martinelli, 19.
He is also the first United player to score six Premier League goals before his 19th birthday.
Solskjaer claims Greenwood is the best finisher at Old Trafford and feels he will only bag more goals and assists as he matures. “He’s getting better,” said the United boss after the 3-0 win over Brighton. “You can see that he’s maturing, improving. He’s only 18 still, so we’ll see more from him. I’ve said it throughout the year that, as long as we get him faced up in and around the box, he’ll create chances for us. “But his hold-up play and his link-up play and his general movement were fantastic as well.” Greenwood scored against Brighton with his left foot but is equally as comfortable on his right. He has taken penalties with his right ever since he missed one with his left in an under-13 game against Manchester City and has been likened to Robin van Persie, whose haul of 39 is the most scored by any player in the Premier League with their weaker foot.
Solskjaer, who knows a thing or two about scoring goals as a former United striker himself, says Greenwood has a powerful weapon in his armoury.
“Of course it’s great when he can go inside and outside, both to his left and to his right,” said the Norwegian. “He’s a special talent that we’re going to look after, try to develop into a top, top player.
“He’s playing well now but he’s still young. He’s got things to learn, he knows that, but we’ve got a special talent we’ve got to nurture.”
MANCHESTER UNITED have confirmed attacking midfielder Angel Gomes has left the club after rejecting a new contract.
Gomes, 19, made his United debut in May 2017 but has played in just six matches in all competitions this term.