Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hailed Mason Greenwood as ‘one of the best finishers’ he’s seen ahead of the Red Devils’ Europa League clash with Astana on Thursday.
The 17-year-old is set to start the match against the minnows from Kazakhstan having only made cameos from the bench this season.
And Solskjaer has given the Manchester United forward a glowing endorsement ahead of the Europa League showdown.
The Norwegian said: “Mason’s one of the best finishers I’ve seen and I’ve played with a few decent ones.
“He’s still very young but has matured in the last six months since I came in.
“I remember the kid who just wanted to play with his mates in the under 18s and now he’s knocking on the door and ready to play in these games.
“I just don’t want to put too much pressure on him.
“I want him him to go out there, enjoy himself, work hard and close down because when he has the ball at his feet I know he is going to score anyway and make the right finish.
“There’ll be 11 Astana players living the dream tomorrow, one of the biggest games of their careers but I want it to be a memorable one for our players as well.”
United are clear favourites going into the match against Astana.
And, consequently, Solskjaer is willing to use the showdown to give squad players some game time.
The United boss has also confirmed Axel Tuanzebe is primed to start alongside Greenwood for the Red Devils.
“He [Axel Tuanzebe] is going to start,” Solskjaer said.
“We’ve got a big squad, pre-season went really well.
“Axel is one who didn’t make the starting XI so now it is a chance for them to get some minutes.
“There will be some young ones tomorrow. Greenwood will play definitely.”
United return to the Europa League for the first time since winning the competition under Jose Mourinho.
The Red Devils lifted the trophy that year by beating Ajax 2-0 in the final, with Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan on target.