Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson admits he tried to sign Mason Greenwood on loan.
As Palace prepare to take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Thursday, Hodgson was asked about the Red Devils youngster.
And he admitted the club made a loan bid for the 18-year-old but it was turned down very quickly.
Hodgson told reporters: "Mason is a fantastic player. We've known about him for a while and in actual fact I think we might even have enquired about him at the start of the season, if there was any chance of him coming out on loan.
"Of course you get the answer 'no chance' because they see him as one of theirs. But it wasn't a difficult spot.
"I think people all over the Premier League have realised there is a real talent on the books of Manchester United and it's been just a question of time before he gets his chance.
"It was the same with Marcus, he didn't have to wait either and they put him in early and, as a result, they find themselves with a young but very, very talented forward line."
