Manchester United are ‘making a mistake’ with Mason Greenwood, according to club legend Andy Cole

Andy Cole hopes Manchester United will not be putting too much pressure on Mason Greenwood.

The 17-year-old forward has impressed for the Red Devils this season and has scored his first two senior goals in their wins over Astana in the Europa League and Rochadale in the Carabao Cup.

Greenwood is getting more exposure than he would perhaps have expected as Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez left for Inter Milan and Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have been struggling with injuries.

Former United striker Cole, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League with the club, thinks Greenwood may have been used too soon.

“He’s got a chance, he has got a chance,” Cole told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“His finishing is a joke. Left or right foot, he’s got quality in abundance.

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“I just hope they don’t, which Manchester United won’t do anyway, they won’t put too much undue pressure on him. He’s got great ability.

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“The disappointing thing is he’s going to have to get thrown into the deep end a little bit earlier than they would have liked, due to injuries, due to them being prepared to allow Lukaku and Sanchez go.

“They’re looking at it and saying ‘we’ve got Mason, we’re going to give Marcus [Rashford] the opportunity to play centre-forward’.

Greenwood is expected to play some part of United’s clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday.

On the chances of starting Greenwood, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “He might be.

“He’s proven when he’s been on the pitch against Astana and Rochdale, when you get him in the box he’s dangerous.

“What’s pleased me about him is he doesn’t turn down chances to finish when he’s not 18 yet, and he keeps trusting himself.

“I’m not worried about him at all but we’ve managed him; we can’t just throw him in the deep end all the time.

“But he’s proved in those games he’s ready for it. Now Premier League? I’ll have the weekend to think about it.”