Manchester United have been warned not to put Mason Greenwood "into a bad team", despite the clamour for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to start the 17-year-old striker.
Arsenal great Paul Merson believes that, despite Greenwood's "special" talent, United could be asking too much of the young player.
Greenwood bagged his first professional goal for United in their 1-0 Europa League win over Astana last week and is likely to return from illness to feature in the Carabao Cup versus Rochdale tonight.
Solskjaer has made no secret of his desire to give Greenwood opportunities, but speaking on the Sky Sports' Debate programme, Merson sent United some words of caution.
"I hope – I know this won’t sound right – the young kid doesn’t get a chance, Greenwood," said Merson.
"I think he’s a good player, I think he’s going to be special. You don’t want to be putting a young kid into a bad team.
"When you’re a centre forward, you’re only as good as the service you get. If you ain’t getting the service, you ain’t scoring the goals I don’t care who you are.
"Not just his confidence, everything. The pressure is going to be on him. The fans are going to be saying, 'Oh Greenwood’s in, Solskjaer’s already said he’s one of the best finishers he’s seen'."
Merson went on to further criticise United, who have only won two of their opening six Premier League games, after a poor run of two wins in 12 games in all competitions to end last season. He accused Solskjaer of not having a gameplan, which is why he wants Greenwood to stay on the sidelines.
"You watch Manchester United , there’s not a plan," he added. "You watch other teams play, there’s a plan. Manchester United just seem to fall over it.
"I just hope the kid don’t get in when the team are playing poorly because I think this lad is going to be special."
