Nemanja Matic says Mason Greenwood reminds him of Arjen Robben - and there aren’t many young players in world football who compare to his Manchester United team-mate.
The 18-year-old forward has seen his star rise since the Premier League resumed in June, a key part of his side’s flourishing attack with four goals and one assist in his last three games.
Matic says Greenwood has developed since making his first-team bow in March 2019, and praised his effect on the rest of the dressing room.
“There are not many players his age of that level,” Matic told Stats Perform News. “He has this natural instinct for goals.
"There is a big difference from now to six months ago. He is young and he is changing, and his approach to training and to everything is different.
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“He's a great person, great for the changing room.
"He is quiet, I have to say, but the boy is always very positive and we are happy to have him in the team."
Greenwood has 16 goals and five assists to his name so far this season, a remarkable tally for a teenager in his first full campaign at senior level.
United are keen for him to keep his feet on the ground but Matic has high hopes for him.
Asked which player he most reminds him of, Matic picked one of the 21st century’s most dangerous attackers.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on the lad, but if I had to say someone, it would be [Arjen] Robben," Matic said.
Matic also added to the inevitable comparisons being made between Greenwood and fellow United academy graduate Marcus Rashford.
"I think that when he has seen players who came through the academy, he has seen Marcus as a role model and he has tried to follow those steps, it was easier too for him to see that someone can achieve big things coming from the academy, so I am happy for him," he added.
"It is important to have players from the academy. They are making big players, good people, it's important they are good people for the changing room.
"The expectation from our fans is high and they have to be ready to play at the highest level."