Paul Pogba has backed Mason Greenwood to reach football’s “highest level”.
But the World Cup winner insists it is all down to the Manchester United striker putting in the effort to match his talent.
Teenager Greenwood enjoyed a magnificent breakthrough campaign in 2019-20, emerging as a key man under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The England forward scored 17 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils and ended the season in Solskjaer’s starting lineup.
But this season has been tougher for Greenwood, however he has recently been back to his best with a number of fine displays and important goals in recent weeks.
Pogba is a massive fan of the 19-year-old, whom he believes can be a major player for United over the next decade – if that’s what he wants.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Mason is a big-talented player that we had from our academy,” the midfielder told Sky Sports. “He can go to the highest level, world class, it just depends on him.
“He has to work hard, harder than everyone, believe in himself and want it.
“When you’re talented like this, you already have talent, now it’s only the work you put in to make you become the world-class player you have to become with this talent.
“It depends on him. I will always be the guy to push him, not praise him too much, but push him to get to the level he should arrive at.
“That’s the way I am, I don’t like being praised too much because you can get too comfortable and you think you are there when you are not.
“World-class players like Lionel Messi and Ronaldo have been top for years and years.
“Achieving that for one year is not enough, you want to be world-class for your whole career.”
Pogba’s words echo that of his manager, who believes Greenwood is the best natural finisher at Old Trafford, but also reckons his No.11 has grown in both body and mind this season.
Solskjaer insisted this week: “Mason isn’t just a natural finisher, he’s a natural footballer.
“He is so smooth and he’s matured so much this season.
“You can see his body has developed and he’s getting stronger.
“His consistency is getting better and better and he will start scoring more goals, that’s for sure.”
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