Football

Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer addresses burnout concerns over Mason Greenwood


Greenwood has played a lot of football this season (Picture: Getty)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has played down concerns Mason Greenwood could be facing burnout after his break-out season for Manchester United.

The 18-year-old has played 46 games this season for the senior and youth team, scoring 16 times for Solskjaer’s side and playing a part in every one of United’s matches since the restart last month.

United take on Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday before further matches in the Premier League and Europa League – all of which Greenwood is expected to feature in.

‘He’s coped really well with the demands on him,’ Solskjaer said about burnout concerns.

‘We’ve managed him as well as we could he’s come back from lockdown flying sharpness is there he’s gained a few kilos and a lot of experience in his own abilities.

‘So there are only two games left in the league hopefully two in FA Cup and three or four in Europa League, he’ll be fine, no chance of a burnout, he’s been excellent.’

United are set to reward Greenwood’s sensational form with a new contract that will double his wages.

Solskjaer has guided Greenwood through the season (Picture: Getty)

Greenwood only signed a new deal in 2019 worth £25,000 a week, but United want to double that salary and extend his current contract beyond 2023.

No United player aged 18 or under has scored as many Premier League goals since Wayne Rooney also managed nine in 2003-04.

If Greenwood scores one more goal he will surpass the United and England legend and cap off a remarkable personal campaign.

The striker has already equalled another Rooney record by scoring in three consecutive Premier League games, with the two becoming the only teenagers in United history to do so.

Ahead of United’s clash with Chelsea, Solskjaer warned rivals to stop trying to influence referees by complaining about his side’s VAR record.

‘It looks like there’s a narrative. It looks like people want to influence whoever is making the decisions,’ he said after Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho suggested United benefitted from soft decisions.

‘I hear people talking about luck, that we’ve been lucky more than unlucky.



Man United confirmed fixtures

vs Chelsea (FA Cup) – July 19

vs West Ham (Premier League) – July 22

vs Leicester City (Premier League) – July 26

vs Linz ASK (Europa League) – Aug 5

‘If you look at the factual decisions – and I don’t want to sound like a certain manager talking about facts – but if you’re offside, you’re offside – that is clear.

‘Talking about luck… the penalty that we got against Tottenham in the last minute that was taken away from us, the might have been two points for us.

‘Talking about the red card that [Oriol] Romeu should have had against us when he got Mason Greenwood almost crippled, that should have been a red card. Maybe that would have helped us.

United could still more games to their schedule (Picture: Getty)

‘Talking about Mark Noble when he should have been sent off against us when we lost to West Ham.

‘Talking about the actual decision that is made, that is against Manchester United but is overturned and corrected. So it is actually me that should be complaining that we get decisions against us on the pitch by the onfield referee.

‘There is a narrative there but we just have to focus on our games and let other people talk.’

MORE: Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must ‘keep the fire lit underneath’ Anthony Martial, says Graeme Souness

MORE: Peter Kenyon reveals why Man United pulled out of Ronaldinho transfer to sign Cristiano Ronaldo

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