Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested he will sign a striker this summer window after insisting Mason Greenwood is ‘years away’ from playing centre forward for Manchester United.
He struck a remarkable 17 goals last season and though he hasn’t maintained that form this campaign, his tally of seven has been accompanied with an improvement in Greenwood’s play.
The 19-year-old came through the Red devils’ academy as an out-and-out striker but he’s been deployed from the right flank this season, with Solskjaer keen to keep him away from the physical task of leading the line at the club.
With Edinson Cavani likely to leave United in the summer, many felt Greenwood would move into a central position given their interest in Jadon Sancho.
But Solskjaer says the player is not ready to lead the line for the club and he’s hinted he will sign a new striker by revealing Greenwood is ‘years away’ from playing centrally at Old Trafford.
‘Mason isn’t just a natural finisher – he’s a natural footballer,’ said Solskjaer. ‘He is so smooth and he’s matured so much this season,” said Solskjaer.
‘You can see his body has developed and he’s getting stronger. His consistency is getting better and better and he will start scoring more goals, that’s for sure.
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‘I have been really impressed and happy with his development this season. He’s come through that difficult patch as a stronger person and a better player
‘Maybe in the future he can play as a central striker, but I still think that’s a few years away. ‘Being a centre-forward in the Premier League is probably the hardest position to play. ‘At the moment, I think Mason is more suited to playing that wide role, dropping into pockets, finding space and running in behind.
‘I don’t want him with his back to goal and having two centre-backs up his backside. I think we have found a good way to develop him, but he might end up as a No 9.’
