The former Red Devils frontman has been blown away by the teenager’s impact on Old Trafford this season
Mason Greenwood “has the potential to overcome” Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, according to Andy Cole, who thinks the Manchester United starlet is at Wayne Rooney’s level.
Greenwood is enjoying a fantastic 2019-20 campaign at Old Trafford, during which he scored 18 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions.
The 18-year-old’s last attempt came during a 3-0 away win at Aston Villa on July 9th, which saw him become only the second teenager in United history to score in three consecutive games, emulating a feat achieved by Rooney at the beginning of his career.
Rashford and Martial have both scored four goals more than Greenwood over the course of the season, but most of his appearances came off the substitute’s bench before the Premier League was suspended due to the coronavirus crisis.
Since shooting on 17 June, the England international has been a fixture in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s lineup, and Cole has talked about his talents ahead of the penultimate game of the season against the Red Devils’ Red Ham.
The former United striker believes Greenwood is currently on track to follow in the footsteps of the all-time scorer of the Rooney club, and said Atletico: “[He is] a special talent. He will always be better.
“He scores with his left and right foot. He has the potential to overtake Marcus and Anthony. I’m not even sure he’s so fast, but 16 goals at 18 are incredible. When I was his age, I wasn’t close to the first team of the ‘Arsenal.
“This is the level of Wazza (Wayne Rooney). He wasn’t even expected to be on the team this season.”
Cole went on to express his belief that Rashford still has plenty of room to improve before reaching an elite level, insisting that he should fight for the same level of consistency as Paris superstar Saint-Germain Kylian Mbappe.
“I like Marcus, but he’s not a center forward. It must be consistent, which should come with age. Some players his age already have it, like Mbappe, “he said.
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“When Marcus is in shape, like a [Crystal] Palace the other night, he can achieve that kind of goal. He is good at running against people when he is confident. I want to see him even a little more courageous. It has six feet. It has the attributes to dominate in the air. “
Cole also reflected on the England Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea, highlighting their lack of movement in the last third as a cause for concern.
He added: “When Man United picks up the ball in midfield, the attackers are short or long. Nobody is running away to get behind. Martial has a rhythm to burn, even Marcus, and is the main resource for Daniel James. Use it. “
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