Former Manchester United forward Michael Owen believes teenager Mason Greenwood could be a “star for years to come" following his first senior goal for the club.
Owen made the claim after the 17-year-old scored the crucial goal to help United to a 1-0 triumph over FC Astana in their UEFA Europa League opener at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Greenwood, one of nine changes made by United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the match, claimed the only goal of the game on 73 minutes, burying a shot between the legs of Astana goalkeeper Nenad Eric.
It was the icing on the cake for the young striker, who looked a real threat throughout the night.
Speaking after the match Owen praised Greenwood and explained why he is a 'serious' talent at the club. “I really do like Mason Greenwood, and it is not based on tonight to be honest," Owen told BT Sport. "I thought he played reasonably well. But I've seen him many times before in the youth team.
"He's a proper player, a serious player that could be a Manchester United star for years to come.
“With all due respect, there are other players there tonight who played: Chong, Gomes, players like that, who are going to have lovely careers, but are they going to be Manchester United players? That is the big question.
"Where as Mason Greenwood, I think he will be."
It wasn’t just Owen singing the praises of the 17-year-old Bradford-born striker, with Owen Hargreaves also praising his performance, claiming the goal reminded him of former United striker Robin van Persie.
"I think you have to take the positives and the positive is they kept a clean sheet and Mason Greenwood scored a stunning goal,” Hargreaves added.
"It almost reminded me of Robin van Persie, chopping in on that left foot on the inside. He scored a really good goal and I'm really happy for him because tonight was about the academies really as they produced for Arsenal and Manchester United.
"One thing I would say is I thought he was quicker, but the one thing I like about him is he has a great fear for the game. Every time he touched the ball there was a purpose to it. He didn't try and force things - he took what was there.
"For a young kid at 17 to have that composure inside the box. He had a picture of what he wanted, come on the left foot chop, like Van Persie, and then finish, that's a top player.
“He is going to be a top player."
