Pranav Nair
Solskjaer praises the growing influence of Mason Greenwood as a leader at Manchester United
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised the leadership shown by young attacker Mason Greenwood.
The 19-year-old is now a first-team regular after enjoying a breakout season last time around. He was the senior striker yesterday as United took on Leicester City with Amad Diallo and Anthony Elanga alongside him.
Greenwood led from the front and grabbed our only goal of the night in what was eventually a losing cause. Despite the presence of older players, the 19-year-old was the standout star on the field.
“He did really well considering his age.”
Solskjaer has praised Greenwood for seizing the initiative and making the most of his inexperienced teammates in the attack. It is not often that a 19-year-old is the ace striker in a Premier League XI but Greenwood rose to the occasion superbly.
“He looks to his right and his left and has got Amad and Anthony next to him, two lads making their Premier League starts, debuts, he thinks he’s got to be the main man and take responsibility and he did.”
It is easy sometimes to forget that Greenwood is still just a teenager. The youngster’s composure and ability to score in clutch situations largely belies his years.
“He was very mature. He looked like a 29-year-old, not a 19-year-old. You saw some definite leadership in the way he had to take responsibility.”
Keep at it
Solskjaer appears to be holding to the adage that if you are good enough, you are old enough. He has called on Greenwood to continue taking the initiative even when playing alongside the club’s superstars.
“I still want him to do that on Thursday when he plays with the more experienced ones.”
The Norwegian’s comments to a large extent display the expectations he has of the United starlet. One of our finest young players, Greenwood will only improve with age.
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Yesterday’s strike was Greenwood’s sixth goal in six games for United. He is hitting top form at the right time and could prove to be decisive in the games to come.
