GREEN BELTER
Fernandes: Mason has had a great season and has quality to fire us to glory in Europe
MASON GREENWOOD will be even more devastating next season, says Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes.
Greenwood, 18, has established himself as a regular in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in his first full season, having come through the youth ranks at the club.
He plundered 17 goals and emerged as one of the most exciting young forwards in the world, with his pace, ability to run at opponents and score with either foot.
Greenwood played a key part in United clinching third spot in the Premier League and is performing a similar role in their pursuit of Europa League glory in Cologne.
“Mason has had a great season,” said Fernandes. “He’s young and he has great numbers this season.
“He can do much more because of the qualities he has and he still has to grow up physically.
“He needs to play more, get more confidence from his team-mates and the staff and he will get much better because he has that quality.”
United face Sevilla in the Europa League semi-finals on Sunday, with Fernandes underlining the importance of winning a first trophy under Solskjaer as a springboard to challenge for the title next season.
“It’s so important to win because every player needs to understand how it is to win a trophy for Manchester United,” said Fernandes.
“For the coach, it is important and for the players because I think we’ve done very well until now.
“I think if we finish with a trophy, it will not be perfect, but it will be a good year for us.
“Manchester United need to come back again to win some trophies, fight for the European competitions and also the league. Finishing well now is a good start for next season.
“We know we play for a big club with big aspirations and the players, too, have big aspirations and we need to win some trophies.
“Of course, the Premier League is one of the trophies we want to win.”
Solskjaer has invested in youth, with a front three of Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, 22, and 24-year-old Anthony Martial, supplemented by Fernandes, 25.
The young defence includes Brandon Williams, 19, Aaron WanBissaka, 22, and skipper Harry Maguire, 27 – and Fernandes is convinced United have a bright future.
“We have good young players, but when you reach the first team, age is just a number,” added Fernandes. “The older ones need to pass a good mentality to the younger ones.”
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