Cole lauds Greenwood's 'freakish' ability

The 18-year-old found the back of the net with his left and right foot during the 5-2 win over Bournemouth on Saturday, bringing his total for the season up to 15 in all competitions.

The Reds have now registered 12 goals in four Premier League games since the restart, and Cole believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been working with his players on their finishing on the training ground.

“The break’s done us really well. I think it’s galvanised everyone,” the Treble winner told Monday's MUTV Group Chat.

“No doubt Ole’s had a chance to speak with everyone about getting more goals, and getting more ugly goals as well.”

Of course, there was nothing ugly about Greenwood’s two strikes on Saturday, both of which rocketed beyond the hapless Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

“It’s good to see Mason doing so well,” Andy continued. “It’s freakish, he can go either side and you know he’s going to produce that kind of quality.

“The two goals he got were very, very special goals and long may it continue with the boy. He’s still learning his trade, but, every time he gets the opportunity, he shows just how good a player he is.

“He looks very level-headed as well, which is a big thing, and he’ll be a Manchester United player for many, many years to come.”

Cole is no stranger to exploding onto the scene at Premier League level – he won the Golden Boot with an astonishing 34 goals in his first campaign in the top-flight, with Newcastle, and remains the fastest player to reach 50 goals since the division was rebranded in 1992.

Andy will know more than most, then, about how to deal with the pressure of expectation as a youngster, but he doesn’t think the increased scrutiny will faze Mason.

“I think of all the plaudits that have been sent his way," he said.

“I’m listening to Ole saying he’s the best finisher in the club, and, at 18 years of age, if a manager is giving you those kind of plaudits, those kind of things can weigh really heavy.

“But he’s taken everything in his stride, he’s gone out there and never let anyone down. Now the goals seem to be flying in for him, left or right foot.”

Former Red Danny Webber agrees with his ex-team-mate, having seen Greenwood develop from the Academy and turn into one of the hottest prospects in English football in recent years.

“We’re playing in the Premier League – it’s unbelievable and the level of humility he does it with: it’s not about him, it’s about him fitting into the team and learning his craft, and you can see that.

“There’s so much more to come from him, I’m excited. I’m one of his biggest fans and I have been for the last four years and he seems to take it all in his stride.”

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