Talk of the Devils columnist Matthew Galea believes Mason Greenwood’s best position remains on the right-wing, despite the teenager’s incredible knack for finding the back of the net.
In a discussion with The Independent’s Miguel Delaney and former Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Aston Villa striker Darren Bent on Premier League Productions show Premier League Daily; Galea said he felt that at this stage of his development a wide berth would better suit the youngster.
Bent suggested that Greenwood’s evident ability to find the back of the net meant he could have a future as a centre-forward at Manchester United.
“I think at the moment, he’s probably a bit better off on that right-wing,” Galea said on Premier League Production’s Premier League Daily.
“Especially at the moment where he continues to put on some size.
“Maybe eventually he can get to a more central role where he can play with his back to goal, but I think he’s most dangerous when he’s facing the goal and I think he’ll get into a lot more of those positions starting on the right.”
Galea also said that Greenwood’s good form meant he should be the first choice for the starting role on the right wing.
“He’s proving a player with immense potential, and I think he’s the more natural goalscorer between himself and [Marcus] Rashford.
“I think compared to Dan James who was perhaps being selected more frequently than Greenwood in recent times, and I think Greenwood is the better fit for the way [Ole Gunnar] Solsksjaer wants to play.
“Not just for what he can do with the ball but the way he wins the ball high up the park and the defensive pressure he can apply.
“He just seems a much more skilful option when we’re able to get the ball into those final third positions.”
Asked if Greenwood’s form meant that the club’s stated interest in Borussia Dortmund winger Jaden Sancho was now unnecessary, Galea said the United should continue to pursue world-class talent wherever possible and that signing the English winger could assist Greenwood’s long-term development.
“I think if United want to get back into title contention, you can never have enough quality player and Sancho is someone who you would put in that category every day of the week,” he said.
“I think for young players like Greenwood, it’s good to get that balance right between giving him game time but also giving him that competition with world-class players to get into the team.
“At the moment, I think [Greenwood] is a shoo-in for the first-team and as an 18-year-old that’s a fantastic feat, but I don’t think it would hurt him to have that competition from another world-class player as well.
“I wouldn’t be against us singing Sancho, but it’s good to know we have a great young player in Greenwood as well.”
