sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Rio Ferdinand Explains Traits Greenwood Have Which Remind Him Of Club Legend

Rio Ferdinand Explains Traits Greenwood Have Which Remind Him Of Club Legend

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has opened up on the similarities Mason Greenwood has with Wayne Rooney.

Mason Greenwood will be buzzing from the opening weekend in the Premier League. Having been chosen to lead the line and scoring against arch rivals Leeds United, the plaudits have come thick and fast.

The latest in line to heap praise on the 19-year-old striker is Rio Ferdinand. Having helped United to several honours during his time at Old Trafford, the ex-defender has compared Greenwood with the club's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand has highlighted Greenwood's developing physique and finishing impressed during his opening day performance at Old Trafford.

Greenwood celebrates his goal against Leeds
Greenwood celebrates his goal against Leeds

Wayne Rooney when he came into the first team was a man already." Ferdinand said: "You can see with Mason Greenwood he has built into that frame of being a first team player and at the weekend, he was one of the stand-out players."

Greenwood, who scored seven times in 31 Premier League appearances last season will be looking to improve again and become a mainstay in the England set-up. Graeme Souness - who as we know doesn't give out praise likely - highlighted the forwards strengths after the result on Saturday and Ferdinand described his performance as a 'joy to see'.

"I saw some of the stuff in that game where I know some of the coaches and people behind the scenes at Manchester United are saying this isn’t a surprise, it has just been waiting to happen in the first team and his body is catching up. He knows what he needs to do. Some of the movement, the ball retention, shrugging people off and the finish was a joke.’

Manchester United beat Burnley in a behind closed doors match on Tuesday with Greenwood getting more minutes under his belt and he will almost certainly keep his place when United travel to the South Coast this Sunday to face Southampton.

Speaking after Saturday's game, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also complimentary of his striker's display. "He’s turned into a man. He’s filling out, he’s stronger. His stride is stronger – you know, when he ran away from the defender and scored his goal, it was a joy to see."

Greenwood celebrates with teammate Fernandes against Leeds
Greenwood celebrates with teammate Fernandes against Leeds

With the player looking fresh having decided not to go to the Euro's in order to recover from an underlying injury, fans will hope he takes the compliments and comparisons in his stride. If he is to match Rooney, he's got a long way to go but the signs are there for one of the country's brightest young talents who Ferdinand says 'has the ability to score goals at any level.'

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Topics: Mason Greenwood, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Manchester United, England