Andy Cole calls for the criticism of 'baby' Mason Greenwood to stop as he insists the Manchester United forward 'is a star in the making IF he gets his head right' amid concerns over his attitude and lifestyle
* Former Man United striker Andy Cole has given his support to Mason Greenwood
* Greenwood has been subject of criticism of late with concerns over his attitude
* Ex-forward Cole has called for the denunciation of 'baby' Greenwood to end
* Greenwood has been spoken to by his club about issues such as time keeping
* He was sent home from England duty with Man City's Phil Foden last month
* The pair were caught sneaking girls into the team hotel in Iceland
Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole has given his support to one of the club's most exciting talents - Mason Greenwood.
Greenwood has been the subject of criticism of late with the Red Devils increasingly concerned over his attitude.
Cole has called for the denunciation of 'baby' Greenwood to stop as he insisted the Manchester United forward can become a 'star'.
'He's a star in the making. If he gets his head right then he's definitely a star in the making. One hundred per cent,' he told The Mirror.
'I'm hoping he will come through this. What's really upset me through this situation is I'm not sure why everyone keeps hounding him the way they do.
'He's a baby. If you don't make mistakes when you're a baby, when do you make your mistakes? In your 50s? He's a boy and he's made mistakes, he's held his hands up, let him go out there and play his football.
'Now judge him on his football because if we're judging him as an 18-year-old boy against what the average 18-year-old gets up to then we'll see what they all get up to [sic].'
Greenwood did not feature in Saturday's 3-1 win at Everton with illness cited as the reason, but as Sportsmail reported on Tuesday, it is understood that his performance in training last Friday was substandard.
United denied speculation on Monday that the teenager was involved in an exchange of words with Bruno Fernandes during the session at Carrington after he failed to chase a pass from his team-mate.
There are also worries at United over Greenwood's lifestyle, specifically the amount of sleep and rest he is getting to stay in the condition needed to perform at the highest level.
Mason Greenwood has been criticised recently with Man United concerned over his attitude. Former United striker Andy Cole has called for the denunciation of 'baby' Greenwood to stop. Cole believes that the 19-year-old forward should be judged on what he does on the pitch
Last month it emerged that the Red Devils had spoken to the 19-year-old over his time-keeping around the club.
Greenwood also found himself in the headlines earlier this season when he was sent home from England duty in disgrace after making his senior debut. The United striker and international team-mate Phil Foden were caught inviting girls to the team hotel in Iceland. United issued a statement saying they were 'disappointed'.
Manchester City midfielder Foden has been recalled for this month's three international matches but Greenwood was omitted following discussions between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Gareth Southgate.
It is understood that Solskjaer wanted Greenwood, who has only made four starts for his club this season and is yet to complete a full 90 minutes, to train at Carrington instead.
United are said to feel that Greenwood — who also admitted to 'poor judgment' in September after a video emerged of him inhaling nitrous oxide – needs to focus on his development as a footballer.
The teenager played a pivotal role in United's strong finish to last campaign as he scored 19 goals and supplied five assists in a breakthrough season which saw Solskjaer's side finish third in the Premier League and reach the Europa League semi-finals.
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