Green signifies growth

Four weeks into the new season and it has already been a rollercoaster ride for Manchester United fans. An emphatic win against Leeds, a disappointing draw at Southampton and a narrow win at the Molineux. In all these games, there has been one constant name on the scoresheet for the Red Devils; MASON GREENWOOD.

Mason Greenwood has started the season in brilliant fashion continuing from where he left off last season with 9 goals in his last 11 games.

Mason Greenwood’s rise at Manchester United has been one that some of us expected.

Greenwood caught my attention in the 2018/2019 season where he scored 31 goals and had 12 assists playing for the Under 18’s, 19’s and Under 23’s. At this point, Greenwood was just 17 years old. The United academy has been one to produce talent over the past years even though recently there has not been so much to talk about. Word at the time was that he was in the Ravel Morrison level. Remember Ravel Morrison? The undoubted talent who because of bad behaviour and a lot of other things struggled to make it at United? Yeah, that guy. Being compared to Ravel Morrison was a huge one but the scepticism from a lot of people was whether he would go on to make the first team and be a success. Bagging goals for the youth level teams is one thing, hacking it with the big boys is an entirely different proposition.

At the end of the 2018/19 Season, Mason Greenwood made his first Premier League start against Cardiff. A game where he could have had a hattrick but showed signs of what he had in store.

The 2019/2020 season was Greenwood’s breakout year. With Romelu Lukaku gone, this was Greenwood’s chance to show he deserved an opportunity and best believe he took it with both hands scoring 17 goals in all competitions and 10 league goals in just 12 starts. To put this in context, he was the only teenager to hit double figures in the league.

One thing that struck regarding Mason Greenwood was his finishing ability. Real ones knew he was a beast but the boy was doing it on the big stage now.  Left foot, right foot, it didn’t matter to Mason. Playing majorly on the right-wing, he proved a major headache for defenders as you could never tell what foot he was going to use. As a fan, it was and is still funny watching opposing defenders try to stop him, committing only for him to use his other foot and slam it in of course or just play in between the defender's legs giving the goalkeeper little time to see the ball. Asides from being ambipedal, he requires a very minimal backlift when shooting and still generates a lot of power from it. It’s a technique that reminds me of Jermaine Defoe. That quick touch and shoot. A nightmare for goalkeepers.

Another thing was the obvious Robin van Persie movement. I don’t know how to explain this but the moment you see Greenwood move, the guile, the shot striking body shape, the finishing etc you just remember RVP.

The 2020/2021 season was a much harder one. Inheriting the number 11 shirt, it was clear he was going to have a much bigger role in the team. As expected, Premier League defenders started double-teaming the boy. Having to deal with some off the field issues too, Greenwood had a very slow start to the season getting his first goal in December. Doubts had already started to emerge and the boy was being compared to bare men. Anyways, he picked up as expected, ending the season with 7 league goals and 12 in all competitions.  Greenwood is known majorly for his finishing but this season his overall gameplay stepped up a notch. Hold up play, ability to play with his right back, quick movement and thinking in tight spaces.

Not joining up with the Three Lions at the Euros has certainly helped this season as he looks fresh, sharp, hungry and ready for the challenge. In a season where United have Rashford, Sancho, Cavani, Martial, Ronaldo and Greenwood as attacking options, Greenwood even though he’s the youngest, has so far shown that he is undroppable. There’s the small issue regarding his eventual playing position whether he would end up playing as a number 9 or he’ll play from the wings. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has done an amazing job managing the teenager and he’s still in his formative years. I believe he has the tools to make it as a striker and that could be the plan long term but the boy is barely 20. Sit back, relax, watch and enjoy the boy develop.

One crazy thing with Mason Greenwood is his disregard for shooting angles. There are certain angles you see a player in and you know for sure he can’t score from there but with Greenwood, you never know. When you think ‘No way he shoots from here’ that’s when he lets fly. The nerve, the audacity. That is one of the things that sets him apart. He’s a shooter, a sharp one at that. In the 2019-2020 season, he was the most accurate shooter in the league with 20 shots on target from 39 attempts. For those who love expected goals ( xG), he has 20 league goals from an xG of 12.8. This season, he has 3 goals from 4 shots on target.

Despite all his amazing attributes, there’s still room for improvement especially as regards heading and off the ball movement. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani arguably the best in these respective categories, there is hope he can learn a thing or two and add to his already loaded artillery.  

In a season where eyes are on the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo, keep an eye on Mason Greenwood. His stock is rising, unlike certain players, so invest now because he’s not dipping anytime soon.