Mason Greenwood is at the England U21 squad but could he shortly be a regular in the Manchester United first-team also? That is the view of team-mates and former coaches who talk of a gift who’s capable of producing it writes Adam Bate.
Marcus Rashford calls him terrifying. Luke Shaw calls him unbelievable. Players praise his adulthood and his attitude. Supporters liken him. As the flops depart Manchester United, there’s a space that’s opened up to emerge and adolescent Mason Greenwood matches the profile perfectly.
The 231st academy grad is somewhat special. You can find glimpses of this in his short cameo in Southampton. Greenwood might have won a penalty had the noodle seen the kick that was accidental he obtained from Stuart Armstrong overdue on and forced a good save from Angus Gunn.
A spot is not likely to be far away for a player who scored more than a goal a game for both U23 sides and United’s U18. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already trusted Greenwood off the bench that memorable March night in Paris and awarded him his full Premier League debut on the last day of last season when he described him as the group’s”best player by a mile”.
However, it had been that Solskjaer convinced that he was ready. A goal against Leeds consistently helps but there was more than that. There was time he twisted and turned into out into the Perth Glory defence inside. While his drag-back because match made a fool out of the Milan Skriniar that is seasoned That was his goal from Inter.
A particular irony is that Greenwood impressed. They are United’s past. Still 17, Greenwood is the near future. Maybe even the current. That Solskjaer sees it. “Mason’s pathway would have been far harder if we had another ahead here,” he said recently.
It appears certain that Greenwood can get his opportunity. The major question today is just how good he can become when he gets it. What sets him apart from the rest and where exactly will he fit into this United team? Neil Dewsnip was the coach of Greenwood with all the England U18 squad last year and he sees him as someone with the mindset and ability to succeed.
“He is highly encouraged to be the best that he can possibly be which is always a huge strength in a young player,” Dewsnip tells Sky Sports.
“In the England U18 group he played as an out-and-out centre-forward down the center and did fairly well in that job but we also used him in broad regions also, especially on the ideal side of the area where he can cut on his left foot and belt it quite nicely.
“He has definitely got an eye for goal, therefore I would concur with his manager that he can score various goals. He is quite fast, direct and will put in behind defences. He’s also smart enough to unite with his team-mates. So he’s got an interesting package growing.”
However, will he be in a position to put that package together if there is not any club like United? Can a player who needed to return to college the day after playing his role because Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain deal with all the pressure of having to deliver in the greatest club in the entire world? Can he be able to manage that?
“I think he can,” adds Dewsnip. “Front players tend to bring that with them. They love to score goals. They’re excited from that. I really don’t think Old Trafford will fazes him. I think he will relish it. The audience has already started to develop an awareness regarding him. It remains to be seen whether he can provide but I do not think he will be fazed by it.”
Talking to one of his colleagues, it appears Greenwood has no motive. Where photos of other graduates adorn the walls, Luke Shaw smiles once the title of Greenwood is mentioned. He has been faced by the left-back . He understands what is awaiting Premier League defences.
“He is an extremely awesome player, an incredible talent and it’s crazy to think he is just 17,” Shaw tells Sky Sports. “There’s much more to come from him but there’s so much he’s doing right now. Each time he performs is being impressed by him and every time that he trains he would like to understand. Ole has enormous religion in him and so do the rest of us.”
Both Rashford and Lingard have predicted Greenwood laid back and there is a calmness to his own game. Both as a pure finisher see him – the most thing that was remarkable being that he could do it with both feet taking fines with his right foot that was supposedly weaker. He played in a deeper role in his younger days but had been moved forward due to his capability.
Much more than a poacher, he is with pace that is good – his sister is on a sports scholarship at Manchester Metropolitan University. Greenwood has organic gifts, blessed with power in addition to speed and skill. As a teen, he has the upper body strength to hold his marker off and change the drama by hitting sweeping cross-field passes.
Manchester United like to keep a lid on those things restricting his press activities. But the key is out. It is known by the United fans and it is known by his United team-mates too. “We know what he will be bringing for the team really shortly,” adds Shaw. “He just has to keep his head down and work hard along with also his ability will prosper.
“He could be among the finest in the world.”
It’s some solace for United and high praise even as their rivals continue to outperform them. There is a recognition , even for a part of the resources, this is hopeless although the urge over the last six seasons has been to spend their way back. There has to be a program. They need to construct. And it’ll take some time.
They need to rely in an academy graduate or two just as they always have. Scott McTominay proceeds to grow, embodying the spirit of hard work that each and every supporter wants to see from their players. However, Greenwood has the power to offer that and more. He’s a player with that bit of fantasy to his game. A player who will make United believe.
“This team has energy, it’s got childhood,” explained Gary Neville to some recent appearance on Monday Night Football. “I like it. It’s not slow, it’s not methodical, but it is not dull. If it develops, with some additions, they have a good probability of doing something. It is not going to happen overnight but I’m happier with what United are”
The Manchester United fans will be happier If Greenwood gets a run at the team. They may not have to wait too long.
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