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Jadon Sancho still a transfer priority for Manchester United despite Mason Greenwood's emergence

POOL/AFP via Getty Images
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is running out of superlatives to describe Manchester United starlet Mason Greenwood.

But he knows even the emergence of the teenage sensation will not be enough to see his side bridge the gap to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Amid the sense of optimism surrounding United after 16 games undefeated, Solskjaer’s relentless call for more resources should provide the most encouragement to supporters.

A three-pronged attack of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Greenwood is very much of the Norwegian’s making.

A process of pruning, rather than spending has created United’s most exciting forward line in recent memory.

All three were on the score sheet in the 5-2 win against Bournemouth. And on current form, who’d bet against Greenwood becoming the third of the trio to reach 20 goals before the season is out?

Yet Solskjaer remains cautious about the 18-year-old’s development. He doesn’t expect him to be fully established for another two years yet.

Martial has answered the call to lead the line - and despite a marked improvement in the France forward, it remains to be seen if he can maintain his fitness and consistency over a prolonged period.

It is why Solskjaer was so determined to sign Erling Braut Haaland in January, joined the race for Timo Werner and has monitored Moussa Dembele among others.

But it is Greenwood’s role on the right that remains the area he wants to prioritise, with Jadon Sancho still his leading target.

Photo: POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Photo: POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Should a compromise be reached with Borussia Dortmund, the England winger would join an attack blessed with youth, speed, brilliant technique and goals galore.

And it is Solskjaer’s continued reminders to executive vice chairman Ed Woodward that he still needs to strengthen that proves he is far from the ‘yes man’ some fans accused him of being when he first took the reigns.

Solskjaer is prepared to challenge Woodward to make good on his promise of ensuring this would be an “important” window.

He has saved the club a fortune by vastly improving the talent he inherited - but as with Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Bruno Fernandes, he expects to be backed heavily for the right targets.

Sancho fits that description perfectly - and with each passing week, United become a more attractive option to a player who refused to push for a move 12 months ago.

No team has looked as impressive as United since the restart, with their front three irresistible in wins against Sheffield United, Brighton and Bournemouth.

Greenwood, in particular, has finally provided a goal-scoring threat on the right.

“Mason's a naturally good finisher, so he'll always score goals,” said Solskjaer. “He's a humble boy, he wants to learn, he listens, he's worked hard, you can see his fitness is getting better and better.

“He's just a young boy who will fill out, he's exciting to work with and we'll keep on building him up in the gym and on the pitch.

“When you play for Man United, I think that's a test that's good enough and difficult enough.

“If you can handle playing for Man United, then you can handle playing for any team and Mason's got the qualities that not many others have.

“So he could play for England full team or Under-21s, I don't really mind.”

The manner in which Solskjaer has nurtured Greenwood, while also helping to turn Rashford and Martial into 20-goal-a-season forwards may help his attempts to convince Sancho to head to Old Trafford.

The former City academy graduate is good friends with Rashford, who believes Solskjaer deserves credit for providing a path for Greenwood, while also forming such a thrilling attack in such a short space of time.

Rashford said: “I remember doing a few interviews at the beginning of the season and I was saying then that progress has been made; we're continuing to make progress.

"But, you know, it's easy for me to see progress because I train with the lads every day. I see us getting better day in, day out.

"For the fans, sometimes the only time they get to see it is on matchday.

Photo: REUTERS
Photo: REUTERS

"You know as well as us that some matchdays they don't go your way. It can look like there's no progression, but 100 per cent this team has been progressing since the start of the season.

"The manager has helped us a lot. He's stuck with us in difficult times and we've listened and tried to take on board what he's saying and what he wants us to deliver on the pitch.

"Where we are now, it's getting closer to what we picture but there's still a lot more work to do to be back challenging for the Premier League."

On Greenwood he added: “I've watched him before he got to the first-team.

"It was never a matter of if he was going to play with us, it was just when. When can we get him involved?

"Ole has done a terrific job with him.

Photo: POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Photo: POOL/AFP via Getty Images

"First of all, he put him in the squad and brought him on against PSG and that for a player, as a first step, it's huge and it shows that the manager had confidence in him.

"You've got no reason not to have confidence in a player like Mason.”

Solskjaer has proven his faith - but it still won’t stop him pushing for Sancho to join the party.

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