Manchester United set to name matchday squad including at least one academy product for 4,000th consecutive match Given the form of current youngsters like Mason Greenwood, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says this remarkable trend shows no sign of stopping

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will oversee one of the most remarkable landmarks in modern football history when Manchester United take on Everton on Sunday with the Old Trafford manager promising he will continue to rely on youth.

The meeting with Duncan Ferguson’s side marks the 4,000th consecutive senior game in which United will field a matchday squad that includes at least one home-grown academy player.

It is a mark that pre-dates the Second World War, dating back to 1937, and one that, given the form of current youngsters such as Mason Greenwood, shows no sign of ending.

“I don’t have enough players to not play academy players, so yes we will,” said Solskjaer.

“It’s something we’re proud of, it’s in our DNA. This club is built on having your own local lads or academy players coming through. We pride ourselves on that.

“You can see today, the academy players know what it means. They’re good people, that’s the first thing. They’re great people, everyone that goes through this academy, and they are good players as well.

“They know what it takes to be a Man United player. Mason for example, I actually do remember when I met him for the first time because my son was training at the Cliff as an eight-year-old. Mason was seven.

“The first time I saw him he stood out and I took a picture with him. He’s now here. It’s just what we do.”

Solskjaer first recalled that impromptu photo opportunity with Greenwood when he took over as United manager 12 months ago and joked again on Friday that it was he who demanded the picture, conscious of how big a star the now 18-year-old could become.

Greenwood’s two goals in Thursday’s 4-0 Europa League win over Alkmaar certainly suggested Solskjaer’s initial prediction was accurate although the teenager can expect to be back on the bench against Everton.

The visit of the Toffees to Old Trafford recalls a disastrous 4-0 defeat at Goodison in late April that, arguably, ranks as the lowpoint of Solskjaer’s time in charge.

“We lost quite clearly against Everton last year,” he said. “We’ve spoken enough about what happened that day and how we looked like a team.

“It was more or less a shambles but I’ve said too many times this year as well, we’re not that group anymore. This is a different group, a group that’s ready for the fight and is ready for the football.”

The recent change in United’s fortunes – sparked by wins last week over Spurs and Manchester City – has certainly left that Goodison embarrassment as a distant memory with a top-four finish no longer appearing as ridiculous as was once the case.

“Yeah, mentality sometimes is strange to explain. The mood is the camp is different, definitely,” said Solskjaer.

“It’s never been ridiculous! It’s never ridiculous in October or November. This club has never ever won the league by then.

“We’re not talking about winning the league now but I’ve said all along this group needs time. We need to develop as a group and a team. And we are going to because they have the right attitude.”