Former Manchester United striker, Andy Cole praised interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for continuing Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy of bringing through youngsters from the United Academy to the first team. Solskjaer has already given first team apperances to Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes with other youngsters such as Greenwood and Garner constantly training with the first team and included in match day squads.
Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace may see young players like Chong and Garner get their Premier League debuts. Solskjaer has already praised young player James Garner as a midfield talent as the 1999 UEFA Champions League winner compared him with Micheal Carrick. Mason Greenwood might have even made his debut earlier but for an injury that the teenager picked up at the most unfortunate time.
Andy Cole, a former team mate of the interim manager said ‘This football club is about kids, the youth team, playing from youth level to the first team, making a big career,’ Cole added. ‘That should never change. If you’ve got players like Greenwood coming through the academy and getting opportunities to play then why not.
Greenwood, who has notched up 22 goals and six assists for United’s age groups this season, will have to watch on and wait for his chance in Solskjaer’s first-team. Asked about Greenwood’s potential, former United striker Cole told Manchester Evening News: ‘Wow. I’ve seen him play a few times. I did the induction day at the start of the season and I remember Butty [Nicky Butt] saying to me, “Coley, this kid has got something”.
‘I’ve seen him in training a few times. Wow. He’s special. He’s special. ‘What freaked me out the other day when I watched him [in United’s FA Youth Cup defeat against Brighton] was that he looked all left-footed and then he stepped up and took a free-kick, right-footed.
‘He nearly bent it in the top bin. ‘And I’m saying to myself, “Woah, I hadn’t seen this geezer kick the ball with his right foot yet”. That’s how talented he is. ‘He’s definitely got a chance that boy. They would have had to [tie him to a professional contract]. ‘A lot of teams would have been looking at him saying “yeah, this kids has got a real bright future”.’
Young prospects Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes and James Garner, meanwhile, have been selected to face Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening with the Red Devils suffering an injury crisis in midfield and attack. With Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera, Matic and Mata out injured, which youngster do you think will seize the opportunity and take the first step to becoming a Manchester United legend.