Paul Scholes says Mason Greenwood could become Manchester United’s main number nine after comparing him to Dutch legend Robin van Persie.
Playing in a front three alongside Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, 18-year-old Greenwood opened the scoring in United’s 3-0 win over Partizan in the Europa League group stage on Thursday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have struggled for goals this season, having signed no replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who was sold to Inter Milan in the summer.
With Martial struggling with injury, it has been Rashford that has had to lead the line for much of the campaign, but Scholes believes it is Greenwood who may go on to emulate van Persie, who won the title at Old Trafford after joining from rivals Arsenal.
“I think they both have that stylish way about them with that left foot,” Scholes said on BT Sport. “It's almost like a bit of Velcro at times. They’re both great finishers, everything seems so smooth.
“We talk about United not having number nines, but he could be a number nine because of that sheer composure that he has in front of goal.
“He just calms himself down, takes a touch.
"We saw Marcus in the first half, where he should have taken a touch and he didn't, we saw Mason take that touch and it made the big difference.
“I think Mason will be a better goalscorer than Marcus.”
