Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mason Greenwood.

Greenwood: Playing for United makes me smile

Tuesday 16 February 2021 12:30

Signing a new contract at Manchester United is a ‘dream come true’, says Mason Greenwood.

The 19-year-old Academy graduate, who has made 82 first-team appearances, scoring 21 goals, will remain at Old Trafford until June 2025, with the option to extend for an extra year, after putting pen-to-paper on a new deal on Tuesday.

Speaking exclusively to club media, Mason thanked the coaches who have helped him on his journey to the first-team, since he joined at the age of seven.

Greenwood, who won his first full international cap in September, also revealed his favourite moment and goal in a red shirt so far, and discussed his future aspirations.

You can watch the video of our interview with the teenage star and read the full transcript below...

Watch Mason’s exclusive interview Video

Watch Mason’s exclusive interview

Greenwood reveals his favourite moments so far and looks ahead to the next chapter in his United journey…

Mason, a new long-term contract, so what is your initial reaction?
“Obviously, I’m very happy. I’ve been here since the age of seven, you know, so to sign another contract, it’s like I say, every single one is a dream come true. I always want to be here. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be in the first-team and stay as long as possible really, win trophies and do the best I can here.”

Does signing this deal show the faith the manager and staff have in you?
“Yeah, obviously it shows the faith and I think they’ve been impressed at the end of last season. I’ll do my best to get up to those standards again this season. Obviously learning off the likes of Edi [Edinson Cavani], who has come into the team and been very important, so I’m watching him every single day and listening to Kieran [McKenna] and Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and all the coaching staff.”

Kieran has been there for a lot of the journey and the other Academy staff have been important…
“I’ve been with him since he first came in and he was the one who showed faith in me really, putting me up two years to play in the youth team. He gave me the opportunity and I thank him. I was working with Colin [Little] after training in the youth team, he always helped me with my finishing. It just didn’t come naturally sometimes so I had him, Kieran, Neil Ryan and all the coaches helping me all the way through.”

You’re only 19 and have played 82 games so has it been a whirlwind time for you?
“I didn’t even realise I’d played that many games. I thought it was a bit less than that. It’s a high number at 19. Hopefully, I’ll get to 100 by the end of the season. It’s great to play that many games for Manchester United, it’s put a smile on my face.”

Lots of highlights to come hopefully but what have been your highlights over these two years?
“My debut at PSG. I don’t think you can ask for a better debut really. It was amazing, that game and winning the game, was amazing. I also liked what happened in the Watford game. I scored and it was a good game, one of Bruno’s first games for the club. It was nice to see him score and to play well as well.”

Greenwood signs new United contract

 Article

Find out what Mason and the manager have to say after the forward committed his future to the Reds.

It was an extraordinary game to make your debut in but what do you about remember it?
“I remember but time flies when you’re having fun, as they say. I’m enjoying myself every single day, playing games, training and being in the squad.”

You’ve scored quite a few goals but which one stands out for you?
“I’m not too sure really. I like the second one against Bournemouth – right foot, across the goal. It was a good game and one of my best finishes so far. That was a good one.”

All the goals: Greenwood Video

All the goals: Greenwood

Check out each of Mason's strikes for the United first-team...

You’re at the start of your United career but what are your ambitions over the course of this contract at least?
“Obviously, we all want to win trophies and are all working hard, 100 per cent in training and doing our best in games. Obviously, to win a trophy here would be amazing for me, it’s just something I’ve always dreamed of at United. You see all the pictures on the wall around Old Trafford, all the trophies we’ve won, and it would be nice to win one soon.”

You’ve already done a lot but how much learning and improving is still to come in the years ahead?
“Yeah, a lot more. I don’t think you can ever do enough really. All the stuff you can get better at and add to your game, I don’t think anyone is a complete footballer. There are always lots of things to improve on and do better.”

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