Ole sends Mason message ahead of Liverpool
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged Mason Greenwood to continue his on-field authority for Manchester United even when the Reds’ big hitters return for the Liverpool match on Thursday night at Old Trafford.
Greenwood is only 19 but he was the senior figure in a youthful starting attack during the 2-1 defeat to Leicester City.
The striker was in a forward line that kicked off against the Foxes with fellow teenagers Amad, who was making his Premier League debut, and Anthony Elanga who started for United’s senior side for the very first time.
Mason scored our goal in the Premier League loss, his eighth in his last 11 appearances, making it 12 for the season, and Solskjaer was delighted with Greenwood’s mature response to being the ‘elder’ statesman, suggesting it is a mentality he needs to retain.
“You saw some definite leadership, the way he had to take responsibility,” the boss told a post-match press conference.
“He’s got Amad and Anthony (Elanga) next to him, looks at them and thinks I’ve got 100 games here so I need to help them, which is great.
“He did really well, considering his age he’s got [over] 100 games [under his belt] and has got loads of experience.
“The way he took responsibility, I was really pleased with it, that’s maybe not as easy when you’ve got Bruno [Fernandes], Paul [Pogba], Marcus [Rashford] and Edinson ]Cavani] next to you, which is natural.”
Solskjaer is keen for Greenwood to take on a similar commanding and confident job even when he is surrounded by older and more experienced colleagues.
“I still want him to take that responsibility when he plays. No matter how old you are, if you believe in yourself, trust in yourself, and think it’s the right decision, you make that decision,“ said the boss.
“He did that tonight and I still want him to do that on Thursday, when he plays with the more experienced ones.”
Ole's press conference after United 1 Leicester 2
See how the manager answered journalists' questions during his post-match press conference...
Greenwood was the only player who retained his place in the starting line-up from the win at Aston Villa and should be involved against the Merseysiders on Thursday, even if there appears no way he can play for 90 minutes.
This was the first Premier League game the homegrown star has scored in and tasted defeat but he will be keen to put one over our arch-rivals again after scoring against them in the Emirates FA Cup victory at Old Trafford earlier this year.