Robin van Persie has tipped Mason Greenwood for the top at Manchester United – because the youngster tries to play like he did.
Although he did feature fleetingly last season, Greenwood has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Old Trafford in 2019/20 as he’s scored seven goals in 19 appearances in all competitions.
The 18-year-old came off the bench to rescue United with a excellently taken equaliser at home to Everton on Sunday, and his powerful, left-footed style has often been compared to Van Persie’s as he’s broken through the ranks.
Van Persie famously helped United to their most recent Premier League title in his debut campaign after a controversial move from Arsenal in 2012, when he captured a second successive Premier League Golden Boot.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
And although no-one is predicting those heights for Greenwood just yet, Van Persie likes what he sees.
When asked about the Greenwood comparisons in a Q&A session on the Europa League’s Instagram account, the Dutchman said: “I think he will be very good because during every game he tries to copy me.
“My style, my technique, my left foot, my way of finishing… so, I’m sure he will end up there [like me].”
Van Persie’s former teammate Gary Neville was also full of praise for Greenwood after the Everton draw.
“I like Greenwood a lot. The composure that he shows at such a young age, his great physical presence,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“The way in which he finishes is that of a top centre-forward.
“Sometimes when you see a young player in front of goal, they panic a bit and snatch at things – [Daniel] James and [Jesse] Lingard do that quite a lot.
“But I’d say Greenwood is a better finisher than Rashford – and that’s saying something. He really does look the real deal. I think Solskjaer knows that and he’s going to bleed him in.”
