This was always going to be the year when Mason Greenwood made his mark. In May the 17-year-old was named as the Jimmy Murphy Youth Team Player of the Year while a trio of first team appearances at the tail-end of the season dropped huge hints to his explosive pace and immense promise.

Then came the £73m sale of Romelu Lukaku to Inter and not only did Manchester United choose not to replace their goal-scorer-in-chief but talk began to circulate that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was planning to prioritise on youth this season.

Confirming this, the United boss said this summer: “Mason will definitely play more games” while scoring the winner in a pre-season friendly – ironically to Inter – will have aided the youngster’s chances no end.

So who is this striking prodigy set to terrorise defences at Old Trafford and beyond? Football FanCast sought out the thoughts of those who know him best to find out.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – Manchester United coach

We’ll begin at the top, with the man entrusted to drip-feed Greenwood into the pressurised environs of the Premier League.

Solskjaer is clearly a big fan, to such an extent that in the quote below he fails to hide his excitement at the sheer scale of emerging talent he has at his disposal. As per the Manchester Evening News, Solskjaer said after Greenwood scored against Leeds in pre-season...

"He's more than capable and will always be there, in and around the box, creating chances. If he keeps going as he does it's difficult to keep players out who perform well. I think his movement, his cleverness: he's going to be a very good player, the young boy."

Marcus Rashford, team-mate

If Greenwood’s development is a cause of feverish anticipation for the fans so too is a potential partnership with another academy product in the form of Marcus Rashford. It is safe to assume that the England international was suitably impressed by the teenager’s 30 goals scored across four age groups last term. Here though he trumpets the natural style that lies behind them. As per the club's official website:

“Mason is quite laid-back. He just likes to enjoy his football. I always think to myself that he’s not someone who you would necessarily give loads of information to. Just tell him a few bits and let him just play; that’s how he gets about with his football.”

Ole back at the wheel? Check out what Man Utd fans are saying in the wake of their 4-0 win over Chelsea in the video below...

Clayton Blackmore – ex-Manchester United midfielder

There is however far more to the Bradford-born forward’s repertoire than his clinical finishing, namely the flourishes attached. Clayton Blackmore picks out one such embellishment that makes Greenwood unique. As per Manchester Evening News, he said back in 2018...

“We don't know how good he is going to get. He's still growing. He's great on the ball and very good with both feet. He's the first person I've seen that takes penalties and free-kicks with his wrong foot. I've never come across anyone like that!"

Verdict

United have been stung before when hyping up one of their young stars – Federico Macheda anyone? – but in Greenwood they seemingly have a player with all the attributes needed to reach the very top.