Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits teenager Mason Greenwood has played himself into contention to START Manchester United's Premier League opener against Chelsea after first senior strike against Leeds
* Mason Greenwood has grabbed his first senior goal for Manchester United
* The teenager was on target during the club's friendly against Leeds in Australia
* Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that he could start on opening day
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Mason Greenwood has played himself into contention for Manchester United’s opening Premier League game against Chelsea after scoring his first senior goal for the club.
Greenwood, 17, fired United in front in a 4-0 win over Leeds at the Optus Stadium in Perth, pouncing after seven minutes to convert Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross.
And although Solskjaer has admitted that United will look to sign a replacement for Romelu Lukaku if the Belgium striker is sold to Inter Milan, Greenwood is now a serious contender for a first-team spot.
‘He’s got a chance to start that one (against Chelsea) definitely,’ said Solskjaer. ‘He’s capable, more than capable. He’ll always be there in and around the box creating chances. I won’t say that that’s not a possibility. It’s a good possibility if he keeps going as he does. It’s difficult to keep players out if they keep playing well.
’Of course we’re delighted with the goal he scored. It’s important for strikers to get that goal, even though we’ve always said and know he’s capable of scoring goals. But that first goal is going to be maybe a weight off his shoulders.
‘His movement, cleverness, he’s going to be a very good player the young boy. He can play all the front three positions, front four really – 10, 7, 11, 9 – he’s a natural footballer. He’s got two feet but with his left coming in from the right. He can play anywhere along the front line.
‘He’s a natural. You know when he takes a penalty with his left, with his right, free-kicks left, free-kicks right, he is almost what you call 50-50. Maybe 51-49 (per cent ) left footed.
Mason Greenwood grabbed his first senior goal for Manchester United on their pre-season trip. The teenager found the back of the net against Leeds at the Optus Stadium in a 4-0 victory. United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has says Greenwood is playing his way into his starting XI
‘You see a talented boy there and he’s got every opportunity to make it as a Man United player. Of course it’s also going to be about luck, staying clear of injuries, being professional and I’m sure he’s going to grab his chance because everything is there for him.’
Solskjaer is frustrated that Lukaku has been unable to play in either of the two opening games against Perth Glory and Leeds after picking up minor injuries in training that coincide with speculation linking him with a move to Inter.
‘Of course it’s not ideal when you miss training sessions,’ added the United boss. ‘He missed towards the end of the training session yesterday and he missed the game again today so he’s missed two chances to play 45 minutes. At this stage of the season it’s important for us we get everyone fit so hopefully he’ll be available soon.’
Marcus Rashford scored United’s second against Leeds with an excellent effort to underline the potential in United’s young forwards before Solskjaer made 11 changes at half-time. Phil Jones headed the third and Anthony Martial converted the fourth from the penalty spot.
‘It’s the same with Marcus (as Greenwood), he can play across the front line,’ said Solskjaer. ‘Sometimes he likes to drift to the left. The same with Anthony, both of them can play 9 and 11 and also together as a 9 and a 10 and maybe sometimes on the right hand side.
‘For me it’s great to have forwards who can rotate and see. I don’t think we should nail them down to one position because they’re good players and can see space.’
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