Mason Greenwood advises Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on his best position at Man Utd

Mason Greenwood has sent a clear message to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitting that he wants to eventually take on the coveted Manchester United center-forward position.

The 19-year-old has been a revelation since joining United’s first team, scoring 17 goals in his first full campaign last season.

Greenwood – who signed a new contract until 2025 this week – has been a bit slower in 2020/21, registering just four goals out of his 30 appearances so far.

The majority of those performances saw the teenager line up on the right side of a three-way attack, but it is believed that over time he will shift to a more central position.

And while he aims to be the focal point of the long-term attack, he has conceded United legend Rio Ferdinand that he may not be quite ready just yet.

“I’m not really sure,” Greenwood told Ferdinand during their live Instagram chat, when asked what position he saw himself playing in.

“I always wanted to be a forward when I was young, but I was also a winger in the youth team and obviously in the academy, I was really in between.

“I would like to end up playing in front when I’m older, filling in a bit more and getting a bit bigger and stronger for the middle halves which as you know are still big and strong at the back.

“It’s a place I want to play, possibly a center-forward, but I’m still happy on the right and it’s a good position to really work on.”

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Greenwood possesses a rare talent of being able to kick the ball equally well with both feet – an impressive attribute that some of his United team-mates have already noticed.

It certainly helped his transition to United by giving boss Solskjaer plenty of options, as well as senior stars Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.

Solskjaer even said on Wednesday that Greenwood has what it takes to fill a much-needed No 10 role, but agrees his future is more likely to be ahead.

“He can play right, center-forward, 10 and suddenly maybe left. We just have to give him time to find his final position, ”said Solskjaer.

Where should United play at Greenwood? Give your opinion below.

“He’s a striker who is playing very well along the line right now at his age and development.

“Physically, sometimes you don’t want to be fair in the mix and in the middle with the big, brutal center-backs next to you. So I think we found that he could really play both.

“It will be in the next year or two, if he’s going to be a No 9 or a striker or, like I said, as a shadow striker, in and around goal.

“Sure, we need him there even though his bonding game and overall game have improved a lot.”