Mason Greenwood has all the qualities to be United’s no 9 but must improve on his heading abilities, says Solskjaer.
Ole Gunnar has challenged teenager Mason Greenwood to improve on the aerial side of his game.
The United academy graduate enjoyed a breakthrough season with the club last term. He bagged an impressive 17 goals across all competitions and was key to the Red Devils’ third-placed finish.
Alongside Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, Greenwood has formed what looks like an exciting trio upfront for United.
The 18-year-old started the new season in similar fashion to how he ended the last.
Greenwood came off the bench to grab a goal and an assist in United’s 3-0 win over Luton Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
The youngster has featured mainly on the right flank but Solskjaer is confident he will end up playing more centrally. However, the United boss mentions the one area the teenager must improve on.
“He had a fantastic season last season,” Solskjaer said of Greenwood after the game as per Goal.
“And to get his goal now was important for him. And Marcus. It always is with strikers, to get that confidence and feeling of scoring, to get that hunger again”
“So I’m very happy with that, he just needs to work to get his fitness and sharpness back as well, like the rest of us.”
“He can play through the middle as well. I think, as a young boy, not physically grown yet, it is nice to be facing forward rather than being the No.9, the foil; being the battering ram if you like.”
“So I think he’ll end up as a No.9 in the end, probably. But he’s so good with his right and left, so he can come in off his right and left, or through the middle. I scored most of my goals from just outside the post as well, I wasn’t in the middle.”
While Greenwood has shown promise so far, he is yet to score a single headed goal. Solskjaer is ready to help the youngster improve that aspect of his game.
“For him to be a No.9, he needs to learn how to head the ball.”
“I keep telling him that and, if he wants to do that, he’s welcome to come and practice with me.”
Greenwood is in line to make his first start of the current season when United take on Brighton this Saturday. The Red Devils will look to bounce back after their opening loss to Crystal Palace.
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