Andy Cole has urged Manchester United not to risk the development of Mason Greenwood amid the club’s continued pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.
Sancho has emerged as the club’s number one transfer target this summer with United currently in the midst of a protracted chase for the England international, Dortmund demanding a British transfer-record fee for the 20-year-old following his starring performances in the Bundesliga.
The potential arrival of Sancho will add increased competition to a forward line which has thrived over the second half of the season, teenager Greenwood having flourished amid regular first-team football – scoring 17 goals in all competition – deployed largely on the right-hand side of the Red Devils’ attack.
Cole has now expressed his concerns over the possibility of Sancho’s arrival at Old Trafford, urging his former side not to ‘block’ the progress of Greenwood, a player whose ability and potential he describes as ‘absolutely scary’.
“Mason is scary, absolutely scary,” Cole told the PA news agency. “If this kid lives up to his potential, United have one on their hands.
“It’s scary and long may it continue. He needs to keep doing what he’s doing, scoring goals and putting pressure on those up front, and as he matures and learns the game even more, United have a player who could be anything.
“He can play as a nine and he can play out wide of a three, so it will be interesting to see where United think his best position is and what they see him as.
“For me, the best number nine in the world is Robert Lewandowski. But there aren’t many, if any, Lewandowski’s about. And if they do bring in Sancho then you’ve got to be careful as you don’t want to block his (Greenwood’s) progress.
“United do need to bring in players as you must improve every season but it’s a fine balance. If you have a player like Mason Greenwood then you can’t afford to block their progress.”
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