Odion Ighalo compares Mason Greenwood with Robin van Persie

Manchester United’s loan signing Odion Ighalo has heaped praise on Mason Greenwood and believes the youngster’s style of play is quite familiar to Robin van Persie. The teenager has enjoyed a terrific breakthrough season with the Red Devils and he has bagged 12 goals and four assists from 36 appearances in all competitions.

In terms of the Premier League, he has netted five goals from 22 outings but only four of those appearances have come from the starting lineup. As a result, there is plenty of expectation from the fans and Ighalo has described Greenwood as a very intelligent player, he told the club’s official website: "I will start with Greenwood. He's a very good player.I think I used to see with my eyes he's looking like Robin van Persie. He can shoot with both feet, he's a very intelligent player, young and is not afraid."

Greenwood has the ability to shoot effectively with both feet and he has already shown that he has the intelligence to ride challenges and find the back of the net. The 18-year-old has earned most of his playing time with the senior squad from the right-wing position but he is more suited to the centre-forward role.

So far, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has limited the playing time of Greenwood and that is acknowledgeable, given the Norwegian wants to protect him from any early career injuries. The 18-year-old should receive more gametime over the next 12 months and it remains to be seen whether he can offer stiff competition to Anthony Martial for the striker’s position.

Meanwhile, Ighalo recently had his loan contract with United extended until January 30. The Nigerian was expected to leave the club on May 31 but the club managed to find a suitable agreement with Shanghai Shenhua to prolong his stay for another seven months. Ighalo has bagged four goals from eight appearances since joining the Red Devils during the previous transfer window.