Normally whenever Graeme Souness opens his mouth to speak about Manchester United it is to criticise a player. Usually Paul Pogba, but also recently Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
So it is a little striking to see him rave about a Manchester United player, and compare him to arguably the best player ever to kick a ball.
In his column for The Times, Souness had very kind words to say about United wonderkid Mason Greenwood.
Greenwood has 17 goals this season already, level with Wayne Rooney and George Best for the most scored by a young player in his first full season.
He will be looking to add to his tally in the Europa League semi-final against Sevilla in Cologne tonight.
Souness raved: “Greenwood has everything going for him. His age, athleticism, technique and that sixth sense that the very best have. He takes the ball early and strikes it beautifully.
“If you look at a lot of Messi’s goals, you see play developing and the goalkeeper getting set and then the next thing the ball’s in the back of his net and he has not moved because Messi takes it so early.
“I’m not saying Greenwood is in Messi’s class, it’s very early to call him, but he looks better than Martial and Rashford when it comes to that sixth sense and should get more goals than them over the course of his career.”
Souness went on to praise Greenwood’s ‘enormous quality’ and his temperament, saying he ‘looks to be a really good lad as well’.
Old habits die hard for Souness
While Souness praised Mason Greenwood, he was not so complimentary about star man Anthony Martial, who has 23 goals this season.
Souness called out his inconsistency in his career so far, and is worried this good form could disappear if he does not show the same hunger and attitude.
He said: “He has looked moody and disinterested at times. If that’s in his personality, it could come back.”
That is obviously a minor concern that Martial may suddenly lose the recent edge he has gained, but it feels like gratuitous criticism at this point.
Instead the Frenchman’s performances should be appreciated, not dismissed because of inconsistency that came before.
Martial is playing regularly in his favoured role for the first time since he joined the club, and has a manager who believes in him.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will keep him hungry and motivated, and if need be, sign extra competition to keep Martial on his toes.
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