Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a fascinating decision to make this weekend as Manchester United’s season kicks off.
The choice is over whether to start Mason Greenwood or not in United’s opener against Crystal Palace.
Here is a look the case for and against starting the youngster in the opening game of the season…
Rest him
Greenwood is coming off a season in which he played in a total of 49 first team games.
While many of these were as a substitute, United will want to consider trying to ensure the special youngster does not burn out.
There will be pressure on him to better his tally of 17 goals from his first full season, but it may be smart for Solskjaer to ease him in again.
Greenwood has had a mentally testing fortnight after the disaster which was his call up with England.
He has been targeted by the media as a result of his own poor decisions, and the press will be baying for the teenager to make a mistake, or have a poor game.
Solskjaer will be conscious of that and he may choose to take the 18-year-old out of the spotlight, just for a week or two.
Doing so can allow others a chance to step up, whether that be Dan James or another option.
If it does not work, then it serves to highlight to the board that right wing really is a position United need to strengthen.
Start him
Having begun the season a week behind other teams, United need to get off to a quick start. It is important to play the strongest team.
Greenwood is currently United’s best option on the right wing, and deserves to start.
After the last couple of weeks, Greenwood will want to get back to what he does best – scoring goals for Manchester United.
Getting back on the pitch will do him the world of good, rather than having him sit frustrated on the sidelines. If Solskjaer decides he is ready, then Greenwood should start.
In this same fixture last August, United decided to hold Greenwood back, despite an impressive pre-season, and he was just a second half substitute. Palace pulled off a surprise 2-1 win.
Greenwood has since established himself as a key player, and what better way to wash negative headlines away, than to create positive ones by scoring goals.
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