How Mason Greenwood has left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with no reason not to trust him

If he is trusted to start a few games over these busy months, he can be considered a genuine first team player. If he plays well, he will become a dependable striker in his own right and mitigate the need for immediate reinforcements

The next few days are likely to see much talk about Manchester United’s unique commitment to youth development, as the 81-year streak of including an academy product in their match day squad reaches its milestone 4,000th game on Sunday.

The focus will be on the past, that of the Busby Babes and the Class of 92, but Thursday night brought a glimpse of the future too. Mason Greenwood is the latest young prospect to raise eyebrows at Carrington. Watch him find the far corners of the net with shots from distance hit by either foot and you will agree that there is every reason to be excited.

Greenwood scored twice as United confirmed their status as Group L winners against AZ Alkmaar at Old Trafford, with a last-32 appearance awaiting them in February and a seeded spot in Monday’s draw. Both goals were excellent, struck left-footed across the goalkeeper with a power and precision beyond his 18 years.

Do not be surprised if Greenwood is starting and scoring again in the Europa League in the new year, adding to his four goals in the competition already and maintaining his 100 per cent record in home European games. His brace on Thursday was made up of his fifth and sixth career goals - impressive for a player who only has seven senior starts to his name so far, one who only scored for the first time in the league last month.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has known of Greenwood’s talents for a decade or more. He claimed on Thursday night that he has rated Greenwood ever since a chance encounter when the Bradford-born youngster was a seven-year-old. That was when he first clapped eyes on Greenwood, while watching his son Noah train at the Cliff, United’s former training ground. “The first time I saw him he stood out,” Solskjaer recalled on Thursday night. “He's now here.”

Solskjaer posed for a photograph next to Greenwood that day, so taken was he by the youngster’s natural ability, and he still holds his talents in the same high esteem. “The closer he gets to the goal the more dangerous he is,” he said. “Right foot, left foot, he’s a nightmare for defenders… I’ve seen a few good ones, played with Wazza [Wayne Rooney], but in terms of natural finishing he's one of the best I've seen.”

Solskjaer believes Greenwood’s heading could still improve but was unequivocal when asked about the prospect of him playing away from the club this season. “There was never any question of him going on loan, that decision was made towards the end of last season,” he said. “We knew we had a top talent and this club is the best at recognising that and for me developing talent like this and there’s no better place for him to be than here.”

But the next few months should tell us just how well Greenwood is thought of, as a significant stretch opens up in United’s schedule. The Premier League will be Solskjaer’s main focus between now and the Europa League resuming in February. A top-four place appears to be back within reach after the brilliant wins over Tottenham and Manchester City. Every point counts and the two potential FA Cup ties in January are likely to be the only times Greenwood is sure to start.

That is perfectly understandable for an 18-year-old academy graduate still finding his feet, but the fact of the matter is that United’s squad is currently short of options up front beyond the in-form Marcus Rashford and injury-prone Anthony Martial. Solskjaer needs an alternative in the position, hence the persistent rumours surrounding Erling Braut Haaland, the interest in Liverpool-bound Yakumi Minamino and fading speculation of a move for Mario Mandzukic.

On the evidence we have up to now, why should not Solskjaer trust Greenwood? The United manager seemed to agree that he is capable of stepping up. “He played against Tottenham and he was class, so I’m not afraid of playing him in the Premier League, not at all,” he said. “But it’s about sharing minutes and finding the right minutes for him. Of course he’s ready to play in the Premier League.”

If he is trusted to start a few games over these busy months, he can be considered a genuine first team player. If he plays well, he will become a dependable striker in his own right and mitigate the need for immediate reinforcements in his position. The decision to sell Romelu Lukaku in the summer without buying in return has been questioned by just about every observer of United, but we may be about to learn why Solskjaer made that controversial call. He had a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings.