'Mason will definitely play more games'
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has predicted striker Mason Greenwood will get more first-team action in the upcoming season, after breaking through under the Manchester United boss earlier this year.
The 17-year-old made his debut in the sensational Champions League win away at Paris Saint-Germain and enjoyed his first start in the final match of the last campaign, against Cardiff City at Old Trafford.
After developing over the summer, the homegrown youngster looks ready to make a push for inclusion in Ole’s plans for the Tour 2019 games, which begin with a clash against Perth Glory this weekend (kick-off 12:00 BST)
“You saw Mason in the last training session,” Solskjaer told journalists at his first press conference of the tour. “Bang, bang, bang. Three goals.
“He could have had five goals against Cardiff but didn’t score. If a striker gets into a good vein of form, he will score goals.
“Mason will definitely play more games. He has grown over the summer and I think his confidence has grown too after the Cardiff game, as he was our best player.”
Marcus Rashford also echoed the manager's sentiments when he followed the Norwegian into the press room at the WACA.
Asked what he had made of Greenwood's development, and whether he expected the youngster to challenge the other forwards in the squad for a more regular place in the manager's starting XI, United's no. 10 responded:
"Yes, 100 per cent. For me, he'll definitely get more game time. Everyone's just enjoying watching him develop and grow, you know, because that step up from Academy football to men's football can be difficult.
"He had a good game against Cardiff on the last game of the season, so that's put him in good stead for the position that he's in now.
“So hopefully he just keeps on going and keeps working hard, and then I don't see why he can't play.”
Greenwood has been a prolific scorer for the youth team and is still eligible for the Under-18s in 2019/20.
He won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award last term following a tremendous season, which included highlights such as a hat-trick in the 4-3 FA Youth Cup victory over Chelsea, and two excellent free-kicks in an Under-18 League Cup triumph at Liverpool.
He won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award last term following a tremendous season, which included highlights such as a hat-trick in the 4-3 FA Youth Cup victory over Chelsea, and two excellent free-kicks in an Under-18 League Cup triumph at Liverpool.
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