Man Utd eye Jadon Sancho... but Mason Greenwood could assume title of next big thing if given Paris chance

Starlet: Mason Greenwood could make his senior Manchester United debut in Paris
Man Utd via Getty Images

As Manchester United send covetous glances in Jadon Sancho's direction, their own boy wonder is poised to announce himself to the world.

Mason Greenwood is the worst-kept secret at Old Trafford. And while United fans head to Paris with a sense of trepidation due to the injury crisis gripping Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad, there is also anticipation of Greenwood's potential first-team debut.

The striker, who only turned 17 in October, is generating a level of excitement among supporters and coaches comparable to the Class of '92, Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison before him.

A record of 22 goals in as many games at youth level this season will do that.

Solskjaer needed just a matter of weeks and a few words with academy director Nicky Butt to decide to scrap plans to send Greenwood out on loan in January.

Instead he is determined to be the man to hand the teenager his chance. Though perhaps not in these circumstances.

If Greenwood is called for duty against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, it almost certainly means things have gone wrong for United.

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With Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford the only senior forwards available to Solskjaer, it will be a case of turning to a clutch of starlets brought in to make up the numbers if United can't find a way back into the Champions League round of 16 tie.

Trailing 2-0 after last month's first leg at Old Trafford, Solskjaer needs goals at a time when he has been robbed of Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata through injury – and Pogba due to suspension.

Lukaku has at least rediscovered his scoring touch with four goals in his last two appearances, but it is one in eight for the previously lethal Rashford.

Should United need an ace in the pack then Greenwood's predatory instinct may well provide it instead of the more creative Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes, who have also been included in the squad.

There are parallels to Rashford's breakthrough under Louis van Gaal in 2016.

Greenwood has earned rave reviews for his performances at youth level 
Man Utd via Getty Images

Then, aged 18, he burst onto the scene around this stage of the season with four goals in his first two appearances – his debut coming in a European rescue act against Midtjylland.

The Danish minnows are hardly PSG – but Rashford's contribution was pivotal in overturning their 2-1 first-leg advantage in the Europa League.

Two more in a 3-2 win against Arsenal days later and Rashford had already entered Old Trafford folklore.

Greenwood set pulses racing among United's first-team squad long before now.

Senior players were said to be sharing videos of his skills and goals at youth level before he was close to making a first-team breakthrough.

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Similar stories were told of Morrison's early days. The brightest talents do that.

Even still, having only just turned 17, United will treat Greenwood with caution.

While Solskjaer is keen to continue United's fine traditions of promoting from within – with youth coaches energised by the interest he has taken in the academy – there is also an acceptance that the squad is in need of experienced additions.

Sancho, who United were interested in when it became clear he would leave Manchester City two summers ago, does not fit that description. But it's been impossible to ignore his progress at Borussia Dortmund.

Still only 18, he is fulfilling the potential City's coaches saw in him, while also justifying his decision to leave the Etihad in search of regular first-team football.

United and PSG are both said to be chasing Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho
Getty Images

After Jose Mourinho's pursuits of the ageing but proven Ivan Perisic and Willian, Sancho is a refreshing nod to the future.

And the prospect of seeing him flourish at Old Trafford, rather than the blue of Manchester, could make him an instant hero among United fans.

PSG are the other European giant strongly linked with the winger, who is quickly emerging as English football's next big thing.

But should Greenwood seize his chance on Wednesday, he may lay out his own credentials to that title in spectacular fashion.

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