Manchester United Rising Star Already Excited About Facing Lionel Messi At Premier League

Manchester United rising star Mason Greenwood, who has been called up for his senior Nations League debut, is excited about the idea of facing Lionel Messi in the Premier League.

Greenwood is arguably the most lauded player among the notable youngsters of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. The English forward has had a great career at Old Trafford so far and is now in line for his first senior Nation League match.

With Messi being consistently linked to a move to Manchester City, Greenwood was asked to comment about a possible face-off with the Barcelona icon. According to the United star, playing on the pitch with a legend like Messi would be another dream come true for him and for everyone who loves the sport, Goal reported.

“Obviously it'd be amazing to come up against him [Messi],” Greenwood said in a recent video news conference in England. “All young footballers know about Messi. To be on the same pitch playing against him would be another dream come true - not just for me, for everyone.”

“Having someone that high profile coming to the Premier League would be a big thing,” the 18-year-old added.

At a young age, Greenwood has earned comparisons with some of the best players to ever grace the pitch. Due to his relentless goal-scoring, he is often compared to former Man United talisman and Messi’s ultimate rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.

But for Liverpool legend and pundit Jamie Redknapp, Greenwood shares similarities with 2001 Ballon d'Or winner Michael Owen.

At 17, Owen became Liverpool’s youngest scorer and succeeded in the following years. Redknapp believes Greenwood could also flourish in the Premier League the same way Owen did.

“That’s what happens at clubs when they have a special talent on their hands: rumors go around. The only question is whether they can handle the step up. Owen did, and Greenwood is doing so, too,” Redknapp said.

Messi, meanwhile, recently took a step closer to a move to City.

Pep Guardiola’s side is one of the few clubs that has the capability to match the salary of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner. And City Football Group, one of the owners of Man City, has now offered Messi a five-year deal worth €700 million ($831 million), The Daily Record reported.

According to the outlet, an equity stake in CFG was also part of the compensation package for Messi, but the 33-year-old preferred to be paid in cash.

Meanwhile, sources confirmed to ESPN Messi's father is meeting Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu to discuss his son's future and finalize his departure on Wednesday, Sept. 2.