17-year-old Mason Greenwood could start up front for Manchester United against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday night, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted.
Both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are doubtful to be fit for the game, whilst we have no other strikers on our books with Romelu Lukaku out on loan at Internazionale.
Mason Greenwood started our UEFA Europa League game against Astana last week, scoring the only goal of the game with a fine solo effort. The teenager then started in our EFL Cup penalty shootout victory over Rochdale during the week. Ole was full of praise for the youngster, telling MUTV:
“In the last two games when he’s started, Astana and Rochdale, he’s proven that he’s dangerous when you get him in the box.
“What’s pleased me about him as well in this period is that he doesn’t turn down chances to finish.
“When you’re not 18 yet and you keep trusting yourself, he gets the chances, so I’m not worried about him at all.”
Manchester United start the weekend down in eighth place with eight points, three behind Arsenal who occupy the final Champions League place.
Should neither Martial or Rashford be fit to start then Ole may have no choice but to start Mason Greenwood. The young forward has been a hit with our youth teams and is set for a bright future. He turns 18 on Tuesday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suggested there’s every possibility that he could be handed his first Premier League start:
“We can’t just throw him in at the deep end all the time. We’ve managed him. But he’s proved in those games [against Astana and Rochdale] that he’s ready for it.
“Now it’s the Premier League. I’ll have the weekend to think about it.”
Manchester United host Arsenal on Monday 30 September in the final game of the Premier League weekend.
