MX23RW : Tuesday, April 23 07:53:53| >> :120:51263:51263:

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 'Mason Greenwood is a true professional'

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 'Mason Greenwood is a true professional'
© Reuters
The Manchester United boss says he does not understand why the teenage striker's professionalism is been questioned.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has dismissed any suggestions over the professionalism of Manchester United teenager Mason Greenwood.

The 18-year-old has shone since making his first-team debut 19 months ago, scoring 17 goals last season and going on to recently make his England debut.

But Greenwood was sent home from his first Three Lions camp for breaching their strict bio bubble in Iceland and he has reportedly been warned about his behaviour.

Time-keeping was mentioned as an issue but Solskjaer downplayed that talk as the teenager prepares to make his return against Chelsea this weekend.

"He's a good trainer, he trains really well, and I cannot believe all these stories about him not being professional," the United boss said.

"You do (make a target for yourself) when you play well and I'm not concerned at all with Mason making a target of himself.

"He's come in, he's played fantastic, he played his first league game against Tottenham last season, was brilliant and just kicked on.

"Yeah, he's made a mistake this summer with England and suddenly the whole English press go after him and that's something we've got to look after.

"He's a fantastic boy to work with. I have to disappoint you, he's never, ever late for training, he's never a problem when he's in the training ground.

"He's always on time. I've seen the stories, actually some ex-United players talking about him and they don't really know anything what they're talking about because, well, we've got photographers outside the training ground every day so they can check the time every day.

"I don't know where these stories have come and I've just got to say he's got a good family behind him, he's had a good background in the academy.

Brighton and Hove Albion v Manchester United – Premier League – AMEX Stadium
Mason Greenwood in action against Brighton's Solly March.

"So, anyway, that's something we have to deal with with many players, many other players at United have had that."

Greenwood missed United's impressive Champions League win at Paris St Germain on Tuesday with an unspecified issue, while captain Harry Maguire and new signing Edinson Cavani were other high-profile absentees.

Asked if the trio are available to face Chelsea on Saturday evening, Solskjaer said: "I hope and expect all three of them to be available for selection.

"Of course we've got a training session this morning but, yeah, they've all got a chance, all of them.

"There's two different reasons, so Edinson wants to tick all the boxes that he's gone through in his programme and feel ready to make an impact.

"I think his last preparation was going to be today and then I'll have a discussion with him, and it seemed positive yesterday with both Mason and Harry."

ID:419457: cacheID:419457:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6088:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring against Newcastle United in the Premier League on October 17, 2020
Read Next:
Combined XI: Manchester United vs. Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal33235577265174
2Liverpool33228375324374
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33127144653-743
12Fulham34126165054-442
13Bournemouth33119134860-1242
14Crystal Palace3399154256-1436
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton33108153448-1430
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3337233188-5716


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!