Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes Mason Greenwood should be in every one of Ralf Rangnick’s starting XIs in the Premier League.
Greenwood made his first league start under Rangnick in Monday’s match against Newcastle at St James’ Park but was substituted at half-time.
The 20-year-old academy graduate had four goals and one assist to his name ahead of the visit to the Magpies.
Greenwood has often played wide during his United career to date.
However, he spent the majority of his time in the club’s youth setup as a central striker.
Neville believes Greenwood has the potential to play centrally at senior level.
But he thinks he should be starting wherever Rangnick decides his best role is.
Speaking on Monday Night Football before kick-off against Newcastle, Neville said: “I think Greenwood has to play. For me he is an exceptional talent.
“I think he can potentially play with his back to goal, he can receive on the half turn.
“But I just think he has to play. I think the growth in him is greater than a lot of the other young players in the squad.
“I think he’s got so much to give. I think everybody that’s a Manchester United fan, Manchester United coaching staff, everybody recognises this could be something really special.
“Get his head right, keep him fit, keep him consistent, make sure he has good senior players around him that can basically lead him and get him on track, and I think you’ve got someone there who can be anything he wants to be in football.
“I think he has to be in the team to grow, I think he’s a goal [threat] all the time, probably more than Sancho.
“So for me it’s not a surprise that he’s in the team.”
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s position in the United side was thrown into doubt following the arrival of Rangnick.
But Neville is in no doubt that the Portugal superstar should be in United’s starting XI along with Greenwood.
“He has to start. I think he has to start and he has to have a partner,” Neville added.
“He has to have a meaningful partner and the worry if you do put Greenwood right of him and [Marcus] Rashford left, if they get dragged back in defensive positions then he could end up exposed.
“He needs someone up top with him. I think he’s looked good with Rashford – that’s one of the benefits of this system, getting Rashford upfront alongside him has been great.
“He is doing what he was brought in to do, there is no doubt about that.”