Mason Greenwood: Man Utd youngster sets another club record in bid to earn Solskjaer “acceptance”
With every game he plays, Mason Greenwood is looking more and more like a future star for Manchester United.
Earlier this season, at the age of just 17 years and 353 days, Greenwood netted his first-ever senior goal in United’s 1-0 win over Astana, becoming the club’s youngest goalscorer of all time in European competition.
And it would appear the Europa League is just the perfect proving ground for Greenwood as the youngster notched a goal and assist as United breezed past Partizan 3-0 on Thursday.
At just 18 years and 37 days, Greenwood is the youngest player to score and assist in the same European game for Manchester United – yet another impressive mark on his fledgeling career.
The Europa League aside, Greenwood has mainly had to settle for late substitute appearances and after the match, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted the teenager still has to earn his “acceptance” at Old Trafford, and that his minutes are being intentionally managed to aid his development.
“Mason is going to have a very big career, but sometimes it is not the right time to play him,” Solskjaer said. “He knows why he hasn’t played as much.
“We’re taking our time with him. Anthony has been away, to put all the weight on his shoulder wasn’t right either.
“I think we are finding the right balance between playing him, resting him and training him. He needs to learn the man’s game.
“He’s gone up from the under 18s last year, now he’s training with the first team every day and you can’t just turn that switch on and off.
“You’ve got to perform every day if you are going to be accepted by a group like this.”
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