The sky is the limit for Mason Greenwood as he silences Jadon Sancho chatter
- The 18-year-old Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood sinks Aston Villa with the 16th goal of his debut season
Aston Villa had done what they could to warm up their heroes on a cold, damp Midlands evening. “Two Tribes” belted out through the PA, along with some screeching sounds only recognisable to foxes and Villa fans. There were claret and blue flags with lions and words like “pride” on the George Cross of England, that favoured flag in Birmingham. This Witton Wisdom was a decent shot at sabre rattling, but Villa don’t have Mason Greenwood. If Dean Smith’s side did have the 18-year-old, they’d have a better chance of staying up. Without a win in 11, they’re going straight back down.
The 18-year-old Manchester United striker Greenwood ruined their hopes with the 16th goal of his debut season. Of United’s gloriously venerated former forwards, only George Best, Wayne Rooney and Brian Kidd have scored more goals in a season as teenagers at Old Trafford.
Forty nine minutes after the game started and after a needless drinks break and time added on, Greenwood hammered a shot past Pepe Reina for United’s second goal in a 3-0 win. He’d earlier started a move which led to a Bruno Fernandes penalty and United’s first.
United’s counter attack is devastating and Greenwood is its most potent threat. Before the game, this rising son of football pulled the golden sleeves of United’s shirt over his hands to protect him from the chill of an English summer, but when the game started he was its golden boy.
Playing on the right, he doesn’t dominate the play, he doesn’t need to. But he looks dangerous every single time he gets the ball as he cuts in, moves the ball from left to right and makes decisions which belie his youth, as does his technique when he strikes the ball accurately. Greenwood drives forward, runs at players and shoots with a minimal Messi-like backlift. Defenders let him turn or even half-turn at their peril. He can go past defenders on their left or right in the best league in the world. He gets shots on target with both feet. So many players show youthful talent, so few can do it in the first team at a giant club like United.
Greenwood still looks the callow youth because he is, but he’s physically stronger post-lockdown and, playing aggressively to the right of Anthony Martial and linking superbly with the Frenchman. He links well with Bruno Fernandes – the man who has turned United into a winning side with 24 points from his 10 league games since he signed – as Solskjaer’s side play in neat triangles, even when they counter. If they blend this well after four months together, what are they going to be like after four years? With United’s other young attackers, this has the potential to be as exciting as young Rooney and Ronaldo, but one must not get carried away. It is early days and Manchester United are fifth in the league.
He can go as far as he wants to. How far can he go? Very
Greenwood also needs to listen to the wise minds who coach him and as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stated after the Villa win: “I will keep pushing him. He can do even more.”
He’s already doing much. Reina, who was a first teamer for Barcelona before Greenwood was born, is as experienced as any top class goalkeeper, but he didn’t have a chance. The goal would have silenced the Holte End. And he’s doing it consistently.
The sounds of celebration came from United’s many substitutes and a clutch of masked team officials sat in the main stand of one of England’s great football grounds. United want to sign Jadon Sancho who plays in Greenwood’s position. Talented as he is, would he even get in the side right now? United fans should be thankful for Greenwood, who didn’t cost a penny and was given a pathway into the first team from a manager who believes in youth. And a manager who will stay, in Mancunian parlance, on his case.
“I’m doing my bit to help him [Greenwood] but he’s got to do it,” Solskjaer said. “He has to turn up in training sessions, in the games, live his life properly. It’s all down to him. He can go as far as he wants to. How far can he go? Very.”
Greenwood’s strike meant game over, thanks to United’s Massive Attack who have scored 14 in the last four league games where they’ve named an unchanged side. This five-man army of Pogba, Fernandes, Martial, Rashford and Greenwood is making its own records.
In beating Villa 3-0, United became the first team in Premier League history to win four straight league games with a margin of three goals or more. Football didn’t start with the advent of the Premier League in 1992, but this is a form team. Thursday was United’s 53rd game of the season – the same number of games played in the whole of last season. The goal difference this year is 100-42. It was 85-70 at the end of last season. The difference is now as tangible as the contrast between United drawing against Villa in November and destroying them in July. United are now safe from harm of their winter storms, but it’s still an unfinished symphony and Solskjaer rightly wants to strengthen in the close season to make them a side which wins titles.
Aston Villa are struggling, as were Saturday’s opponents Bournemouth and previous United foes Brighton and Norwich, but United are unbeaten in 17. Martial, Rashford and Greenwood have 56 goals between them. The early season criticism that United don’t have an established number nine has gone quieter than a top-flight football ground in lockdown but it’s more than numbers. United’s style has shifted, they get the ball back high up the pitch when they lose it. And when they get it to Greenwood, no defence is safe.
“Mr Brightside” by the Killers came on as the players left the field. But there was only one killer as Manchester United are taking control.
