Mason still has a lot to learn about the ‘man’s game’ - Ole
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer says Mason Greenwood’s training performances have prevented him from starting in the Premier League for United.
Greenwood, 18, scored his third goal of the season in United’s 3-0 Europa League victory over Partizan Belgrade at Old Trafford in what was his first start in over a month.
Solskjaer resisted starting Greenwood during Anthony Martial’s eight-week absence with a thigh injury amid United’s impotence and Greenwood’s four starts this term have come in the Europa League and League Cup.
Greenwood was omitted from the squad for last week’s fourth round tie at Chelsea since he lined up for the Under-21s in their EFL Cup win at Doncaster Rovers the previous night. Greenwood slotted in a 94th-minute winner but his selection was a surprise.
Solskjaer conceded Greenwood was an obvious option for United’s problematic right-sided role and believes the teenager is ‘on his way up again’.
“Mason is going to have a very big career,” Solskjaer said. “But sometimes it’s not the right time to play him. He knows why he hasn’t played as much.
“We’re taking our time with him. It’s been a difficult period. Anthony has been away, to put all the weight on his shoulder wasn’t right, either. I think we are finding the right balance between playing him, resting him and training him.
“He needs to learn the man’s game. He’s gone up from the Under-18s last year, now he’s training with the first team every day and you can’t just turn that switch on and off. You’ve got to perform every day if you are going to be accepted by a group like this.
“If he’d really stamped his authority in training every single day and been the best option he would have played every game. But as a young boy you expect ups and downs and he’s had some downs. But I think he is on his way up again.
“He scored a winner in that game against Doncaster, which always gives players confidence. “He is definitely one option on the right. I rested Dan [James] tonight because he’s played too much football for my liking, so maybe Mason hasn’t played enough, but I think we will see a top, top player there one day,” Solksjaer said on Wednesday. “He is very composed as well with his finishing. It is just what he does, it is natural to him. Right foot, left foot - I don’t think he still knows which is the best one, which is very difficult for defenders to defend against. “The good thing is he can do it at Old Trafford in front of a full crowd or 62,000, he doesn’t get fazed by the occasion. He’s still composed,” Solksjaer added.
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer on Mason Greenwood