Ben Guest
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said it was ‘the right decision’ to allow Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to leave Manchester United in order to help Mason Greenwood’s development.
The 17-year-old became the clubs youngest ever goalscorer in European competition in Thursday night’s 1-0 win over Kazakhstani champions FC Astana, slotting the ball through the keepers legs after some good individual play in the box.
The youngster has been likened to former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, with Solskjaer recently describing him as one of the most natural finishers he has ever seen. Speaking about the performance of the latest starlet from the United production line, the Norwegian was once again full of praise.
“To get him inside the box, you know something’s going to happen,” the United boss said in his post-match press conference.
“He can go inside, he can go outside. A great finish through the legs of the ‘keeper. Most of the time that’s quite open.
“For sure it is natural for him to play football, natural for him to score goals, to be in and around the box.
The English striker has scored 3 goals from 18 shots in the Premier League so far this season. #mufc https://t.co/SgShjacTNV
— Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) September 20, 2019
“As I said yesterday he knows how to hit a ball. Maybe he hit too hard in the first half, where he should have curled it a little bit more in the top corner.
“But he showed glimpses today of what he can become.”
Greenwood is set to be given plenty of game time this season, thanks to the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to Inter Milan, and despite his limited forward options, Solskjaer believes it was the right decision to let the pair leave.
“For me, it was the right decision,” Solskjaer added.
“Because I think for the club and for him, I think he’s going to be important for us this season.
“He’s not played a lot so far but he’ll get his minutes and he’ll grow and develop.”
Read: Solskjaer pleased with youngsters as Manchester United beat Astana in Europa League opener
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