Mason Greenwood proved his potential to Manchester United’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick with a goal against Young Boys but was told to improve his physical and mental approach to the game.
The 20-year-old striker scored in the 1-1 Champions League draw after Rangnick made 11 changes for the “dead-rubber” tie.
It catapulted him into Rangnick’s plans for Saturday’s match away to Norwich City, although the German sounded a note of caution.
“Again he showed [his ability], not only because of the beautiful goal but also the way he set up an opportunity for Juan Mata was brilliant,” Rangnick said. “He’s a massive talent; left foot, right foot, good on the ball, also the way he set up the goal for Fred on Sunday [against Crystal Palace].
“But still it is about continuing on his development physically but technically too. For his age, he’s a great player. My job is to develop him, make an athlete out of him. If he manages to do that he can become a regular player.”
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Rangnick is no stranger to Erling Haaland, the 21-year-old Norwegian rated as Europe’s hottest young talent, although the United manager considers the pair different types of strikers.
“Erling, for me, is a target striker; he can play as a single striker or together with another striker in a 4-4-2,” Rangnick said. “I think Mason is more a ‘9½’. He can play together as a striker but can also come in from the wings or play together with another striker. He’s very technical, though as I said he sometimes looks a little bit not on an athletic level.
“I’m not so worried about the technical level. We need to develop him physically, mentally, to become the strongest version of himself.”
The United full back Aaron Wan-Bissaka suffered a freak wrist injury as he slid off the pitch with the last kick of the game, but his manager expects him to be fit for Saturday.
“He received two knocks; one unfortunately on his wrist, the other on his knee,” Rangnick said. “He’s being treated now in the locker room and we will have to see the situation around these two knocks. But I am positive that he will be able to train tomorrow and become part of the team for Norwich.”
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Rangnick used six teenage substitutes and handed a debut to the 35-year-old reserve goalkeeper Tom Heaton during the second half, as a replacement for Dean Henderson.
“Dean almost saved the equaliser and apart from that he was very proactive and very present,” Rangnick said.
“I didn’t know Tom has been playing for so long in the Championship and Premier League, and even for the England national team, and he is a fantastic person so he more than deserved that opportunity.”
