Manchester United consider starting Mason Greenwood against West Ham after Europa League goal

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted it will be impossible to leave out Mason Greenwood if Manchester United’s teenage striker keeps scoring but insisted he has no concerns over Marcus Rashford’s form.

United go in search of their first away win since March on Sunday when they visit West Ham United at the London Stadium and Greenwood is in contention for only his second Premier League start after his match-winning first senior goal over Astana in the Europa League on Thursday.

Greenwood spared United from embarrassment against the little known champions of Kazakhstan with a sublime turn and finish after Rashford’s struggles in front of goal had continued with a series of spurned chances.

Greenwood does not turn 18 until next month but Solskjaer - who was happy to allow Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sânchez to leave this summer without bringing in a replacement such was his faith in the England Under-21 striker - admits the youngster is giving him a selection dilemma.

“It’s always hard to keep players who perform well out of the team,” the United manager said. “I remember when I came in here … and if he keeps scoring goals, he’ll play. If he keeps scoring goals when he’s on the pitch he’ll get more minutes in the Premier League as well and he’ll get his first start soon.”

Although he struck from the penalty spot in the 1-0 win over Leicester last weekend, Rashford has not scored from open play since the opening day of the season against Chelsea and he endured a frustrating night against Astana.

But Solskjaer believes the England striker, just 21, is still a work in progress. “He is still young, he’ll improve. You won’t hit your peak as a striker until you’re 26 or 27,” the manager said. “He’s still learning what finishes to make in different circumstances.

“He’s getting the chances. Of course he could have had three today. The ’keeper [Nenad Eric] made a few fantastic saves. I don’t worry about that, no.

“We’re working every single day in training with Marcus. He wants to improve, wants to be better. He could’ve finished with his left instead of his right today. It’s just one of those days. I thought their ’keeper was excellent.

“I think today’s forwards are different from old traditional No9s. There’s not many left of them. Marcus can play all four positions - right, left, up front on his own and as a 10. Anthony can. Mason can. None are pinpointed to one position. You’ll see them rotated around.

“All the goals we’ve scored have come from the forwards, with Marcus, Anthony [Martial] and Dan James. I’m sure they’ll chip in with many goals.”

Martial remains sidelined through injury, as does Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw, all three of whom will miss the West Ham game. James remains a doubt after picking up a knock against Leicester.

United have not any of their last eight away matches since the dramatic 3-1 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain but Solskjaer said he was not overly concerned.

“Why should we coaches be concerned? We’re looking forward to things, looking for solutions,” he said. “I’ve never been concerned about anything really. I don’t walk around and worry about things. I’m looking at what we can do to improve. I’ve never been a worrier.

“I think we should’ve won at Southampton, I think we should’ve won the Wolverhampton one. You’ve got to block out the mental part and play as you would in the park."