Greenwood should usurp Rashford as Kane’s England deputy, says Rooney

Mason Greenwood is the “natural goalscorer” who can be Harry Kane’s understudy with England according to Wayne Rooney.

The former Manchester United striker is the Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer having scored 53 times in 120 games.

Since his retirement Kane has picked up his mantle and established himself as England’s No 9.

But Gareth Southgate has a host of players chasing the Tottenham man including Marcus Rashford.

The United frontman has seen Greenwood enjoy a breakthrough season at Old Trafford which has earned him an England call-up.

And Rooney reckons the teenager is more of a natural goalscorer than Rashford and deserves to be second in the pecking order.

“He is probably the best finisher at United already at the age of 18,” he said in the Times.

“In goalscorers you can just see it from day one — Harry Kane and Michael Owen had the knack and it’s the same with Greenwood.

“As I’ve said before, I wasn’t a natural scorer.

“That knack is rare and Gareth needs a proper deputy for Kane, someone he can slot in if Harry is injured or suspended.

“For me, Marcus Rashford is not such a natural scorer and nor is Tammy Abraham. But Greenwood can be that player.”

Greenwood scored 17 times for United – five less than Rashford who is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s main man through the middle.

Young English players are often thrown in at the deep end but Southgate believes he has earned the right.

He added: “If you said to me three or four months ago, I would have said we know he is a high-quality player who is having a good season but maybe it is a bit early to put him up to the senior team.

“But the reality is that his performances and goalscoring has been so good that he has earned the right.”

England take on Iceland on September 5 and Denmark three days later.