[DoomSlayer]

Push up the pitch, Rashford and Martial destroy the high line. Sit deep, Bruno and Pogba pass you to death and we are a long range goal threat from multiple areas. Its class, at least while the attackers are on form. Think we do need to get more depth for when the 1st 11 need to be rotated next season, but our 1st 11 is potentially a really potent team in the making.

I think our only problem will be when we try to outplay the best of the best, like City and Liverpool. Don't think our defensive trio in the middle (Lindelof, Maguire, Matic) can cope with the high intensity pressing and we can see that even weaker sides can still force mistakes out of them, whilst De Gea is not only unable to bail us out anymore, but has been costing us at times since the World Cup.

I honestly would like us to first find a suitable CB partner to Maguire, someone pacey and with ability on the ball, whilst looking for a young apprentice to Matic, in order to phase him out in the next 2 seasons. Then I'd start looking at getting cover for the likes of Bruno and our attacking trio.

All this is very doable, in my opinion, since we have a few players that we can sell/release, which would give us some money back and free up a lot of wages - Smalling, Jones, Sanchez, Lingard. Even one of Pereira or Mata can be disposable, depending on what the transfer plans are and what the pandemic situation is at.

 

[Drainy]

I think our only problem will be when we try to outplay the best of the best, like City and Liverpool. Don't think our defensive trio in the middle (Lindelof, Maguire, Matic) can cope with the high intensity pressing and we can see that even weaker sides can still force mistakes out of them, whilst De Gea is not only unable to bail us out anymore, but has been costing us at times since the World Cup.

I doubt we'll go toe to toe with City or Liverpool in the big games. I expect against the top teams we revert back to the counter attacking style with 2 defensive midfielders & a flat back 4 (or 5 if needed) looking to counter through pacey wide players as we've seen against regularly (and successfully) in those types of games this season.

 

[TsuWave]

1:23 took pen with his right foot

I remember an interview in which he said he missed a pen against City with the left foot at u-13 level, so he’s been taking them with the right ever since. This football thing is too easy for him.

I found an article for the interview:

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c.../man-united-news-mason-greenwood-17122460.amp

but there’s a video too somewhere

 

[DoomSlayer]

I doubt we'll go toe to toe with City or Liverpool in the big games. I expect against the top teams we revert back to the counter attacking style with 2 defensive midfielders & a flat back 4 (or 5 if needed) looking to counter through pacey wide players as we've seen against regularly (and successfully) in those types of games this season.

It should depend, in my opinion. At Old Trafford, we need to start showing the willingness to play ball against even the best teams. Away from home it's always a great tactic, but to truly challenge for the top honours, we have to start imposing ourselves in the big games as well.

 

[lumeyes]

I don't fear for him if Sancho comes in, I fear for Martial

Martial is still underrated. I don't see either Rashford or Sancho playing his current role, especially the former who clearly was uncomfortable in that (false) 9 role when Martial was injured. Greenwood is probably 2 years away from being a first choice in that role, he is better off continuing his fantastic development the way it is.
Anyways I don't understand this debate. If we get Sancho we become an even better team, simple as that. Right now we look good but all it takes is an injury to Pogba and Bruno and the front three of MMA will be hampered again by a poor midfield - not necessarily saying Sancho will replace them. So we still need one attacker and midfielder if we can manage it. Or better still, trust a bit more on Garner and Levitt because they are talented as well, Garner especially.

It should depend, in my opinion. At Old Trafford, we need to start showing the willingness to play ball against even the best teams. Away from home it's always a great tactic, but to truly challenge for the top honours, we have to start impsoing ourselves in the big games as well.

If we have a defence (mainly central defence and goalkeeper) that doesn't create panick in the rest of the team, I'll say why not. We'll have to contend with Mane, Firminho and Salah but they also have to deal with MMA, hopefully with Rashford back to his pre-injury level. I am not sure they will be comfortable leaving Greenwood one on one with even VvD, not because he is going to dribble past VvD easily but because Greenwood has demonstrated he is deadly when in sight of goal. Plus we have a better advantage of Pogba and Fernandez in midfield. Again my only concern would is the defence. Maguire doesn't inspire confidence I am afraid. Too many errrors in him. And Lindelof seems unwilling to step up to the next level. It'll help if Shaw and Bisaka improve on their attacking play

 

[Revan]

You really think so? Genuinely question.
It's just surprising as I certainly never noticed how fast he was. I mean I know he has a bit of pace but Mbappe levels?

Maybe not Mbappe level (an exaggeration from me), but he is really quite fast. Anyway, he does not need to be the quickest player in the world, it is enough to be faster than most defenders.

 

[DoomSlayer]

If we have a defence (mainly central defence and goalkeeper) that doesn't create panick in the rest of the team, I'll say why not. We'll have to contend with Mane, Firminho and Salah but they also have to deal with MMA, hopefully with Rashford back to his pre-injury level. I am not sure they will be comfortable leaving Greenwood one on one with even VvD, not because he is going to dribble past VvD easily but because Greenwood has demonstrated he is deadly when in sight of goal. Plus we have a better advantage of Pogba and Fernandez in midfield. Again my only concern would is the defence. Maguire doesn't inspire confidence I am afraid. Too many errrors in him. And Lindelof seems unwilling to step up to the next level. It'll help if Shaw and Bisaka improve on their attacking play

That's what I'm saying. Our more pressing concerns right now are the GK situation, a CB to properly complement Maguire and a DM to eventually replace Matic, who is getting on and even if he has world class qualities, he can't play with such intensity twice a week, I think he already showed signs of being a bit less concentrated last game, probably due to playing a lot of games and being fatigued.

That's why I don't get this idea that the first signing should be Sancho, when Dortmund want £100m+ for him. How much money do our fans think we have to spend? Especially when you consider the worldwide pandemic, the economic collapse that might still happen and the unknowns to how it will all affect the money flow in football - I think a majority of our fans are strongly disconnected from reality.

Sancho would be the cherry on top of the cake, let's focus on baking the actuall cake properly first, we have most of the right ingredients but still need a few vital ones to create a solid mix.

 

[Paxi]

Maybe not Mbappe level (an exaggeration from me), but he is really quite fast. Anyway, he does not need to be the quickest player in the world, it is enough to be faster than most defenders.

Yeah I agree. Though reading his wiki there, one of the youth coaches said that he’s ‘absolutely rapid’
Good enough for me.

 

[Beans]

I can't believe how rounded and mature he is. We've seen plenty of talented youngsters but rarely this mature. I can't remember a game where I've thought he's been poor. Shocking at his age.

He's had a few anonymous games where he was subbed off, I'm not good at recalling which games things happened, but I've been keeping a close eye on him and I recall about 3. I don't know if poor is the word, but he wasn't getting involved, I'm sure these were games where our offense was stagnant in general.

 

[Beans]

I remember an interview in which he said he missed a pen against City with the left foot at u-13 level, so he’s been taking them with the right ever since. This football thing is too easy for him.

I found an article for the interview:

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c.../man-united-news-mason-greenwood-17122460.amp

but there’s a video too somewhere

Great find, thanks for that! I thought he was a lefty at first but since the pen I assumed I had been wrong. Truly two footed regardless!

 

[lumeyes]

That's what I'm saying. Our more pressing concerns right now are the GK situation, a CB to properly complement Maguire and a DM to eventually replace Matic, who is getting on and even if he has world class qualities, he can't play with such intensity twice a week, I think he already showed signs of being a bit less concentrated last game, probably due to playing a lot of games and being fatigued.

That's why I don't get this idea that the first signing should be Sancho, when Dortmund want £100m+ for him. How much money do our fans think we have to spend? Especially when you consider the worldwide pandemic, the economic collapse that might still happen and the unknowns to how it will all affect the money flow in football - I think a majority of our fans are strongly disconnected from reality.

Sancho would be the cherry on top of the cake, let's focus on baking the actuall cake properly first, we have most of the right ingredients but still need a few vital ones to create a solid mix.

That price tag is indeed something else, we should target other areas with the money. Finding a replacement for Matic would be nice but perhaps if he is not played often he can manage another good season after this. It'll be nice for Ole to have a proper plan for preseason this time around, if at all there will be any. What does he want to do with Levitt and Garner? Send them on loan or slowly integrate them in the first team? The same goes for Laird. That will clear his head on what short term or long term acquisitions the club needs, while hoping he won't regret the Gomes affair.

 

[Beans]

I honestly think Greenwood can be the perfect inside forward for us in the future. Could play both on the left and the right because he literally has no weak foot.

I don't actually want to see him being moulded into a pure striker, that would limit his potential, in my opinion. He can be an incredible attacking player in a fluid front 3.

Completely agree, looks great free floating in the last two games and I love that style! But to restrict him to playing striker would make so many of his best traits less impactful. He seems to relish having a bit of distance and space from the wing to run at the defender and force them to pick a side or get megged on the shot. With his back to goal and double teamed, that doesn't sound like it's worth it to get him a little closer to goal.

 

[Maagge]

Always liked him in the firsts, has a maturity about him which our other young players have lacked, even the ones that are important for us now.

I don't agree. Both McT and Rashford are very mature. Are you just thinking of Lingard?

 

[Robbie Boy]

His finishing is absolutely incredible and his ability with both feet means he's a nightmare for opposition defenders and 'keepers.

 

[dabeast]

Michael Owen vs. Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.

Yes. Good pick. I think Mason's finish is actually tougher and more in the corner, though.

 

[bond19821982]

That's what I'm saying. Our more pressing concerns right now are the GK situation, a CB to properly complement Maguire and a DM to eventually replace Matic, who is getting on and even if he has world class qualities, he can't play with such intensity twice a week, I think he already showed signs of being a bit less concentrated last game, probably due to playing a lot of games and being fatigued.

That's why I don't get this idea that the first signing should be Sancho, when Dortmund want £100m+ for him. How much money do our fans think we have to spend? Especially when you consider the worldwide pandemic, the economic collapse that might still happen and the unknowns to how it will all affect the money flow in football - I think a majority of our fans are strongly disconnected from reality.

Sancho would be the cherry on top of the cake, let's focus on baking the actuall cake properly first, we have most of the right ingredients but still need a few vital ones to create a solid mix.

We just spent 130m last year on defence. Fair to say, we wouldnt spend anything this year. A right partner to Maguire is obviously needed but probably not this year or it would be only after signing a right winger( rightly so).

 

[DoomSlayer]

We just spent 130m last year on defence. Fair to say, we wouldnt spend anything this year. A right partner to Maguire is obviously needed but probably not this year or it would be only after signing a right winger( rightly so).

I'd rather us focus on having a complete first 11, before thinking about replacing some of our world class talents. If that means spending more on the defense, so be it. But we need to be smart because we have limited money, whatever some fans might believe.

 

[SportingCP96]

His finishing ability inside the box at just 18 is frightening. He has everything to be a world class striker.

15 goal (so far) at 18 years old in your first season in the first team in the hardest league in the world and for a massive club? That’s quite the feat.

 

[mav_9me]

His finishing ability inside the box at just 18 is frightening. He has everything to be a world class striker.

15 goal (so far) at 18 years old in your first season in the first team in the hardest league in the world and for a massive club? That’s quite the feat.

Let's see how many players have had similar performances at that age.

Messi
Mbappe
Rooney
Original Ronaldo?
Sterling?
Sancho?

 

[Nep77]

Not taking anything away from Rashford he has more Non Penalty goal than him and just one away in Premier league too.

 

[Mickson]

Let's see how many players have had similar performances at that age.

Messi
Mbappe
Rooney
Original Ronaldo?
Sterling?
Sancho?

Owen?

 

[DoomSlayer]

Not taking anything away from Rashford he has more Non Penalty goal than him and just one away in Premier league too.

Yeah, I don't think anyone can dispute that Mason is a much better finisher, which was never Rashford's main quality. Still love Marcus though, he is going to be a special player, even if Greenwood has a higher ceiling in terms of goalscoring.

 

[Revan]

I'd rather us focus on having a complete first 11, before thinking about replacing some of our world class talents. If thay means spending more on the defense, so be it. But we need to be smart because we have limited money, whatever some fans might believe.

If one of the main trio gets injured, we are a bit fecked. James, Mata, Lingard or Ighalo are not of the required quality to start many matches.

You could say the same for the defense to be fair, but I feel that we would be better with Bailly (or even Matic) as CB than with James or Lingard in attack.

We really could do with another very good attacker.

 

[Revan]

His finishing ability inside the box at just 18 is frightening. He has everything to be a world class striker.

15 goal (so far) at 18 years old in your first season in the first team in the hardest league in the world and for a massive club? That’s quite the feat.

The best thing is that he has not played that much, which makes this even more impressive. 15 goals for a 17-18 years old player in his debut season would have been impressive in either case, but it is far more impressive when you consider that he was a bench player for most of the season. Only in the last couple of weeks he has become a starter.

 

[11101]

Maybe not Mbappe level (an exaggeration from me), but he is really quite fast. Anyway, he does not need to be the quickest player in the world, it is enough to be faster than most defenders.

It's his only apparent weakness. He lacks a little explosive pace, at least compared to the R9s/Mbappes of the world. He is fast enough for most situations though.

The other thing is he has a bit of an odd running style. I dont know enough to know if it's bad for him or not, but that's something coaches consider.

 

[DoomSlayer]

If one of the main trio gets injured, we are a bit fecked. James, Mata, Lingard or Ighalo are not of the required quality to start many matches.

You could say the same for the defense to be fair, but I feel that we would be better with Bailly (or even Matic) as CB than with James or Lingard in attack.

We really could do with another very good attacker.

I'd still go for a player for the right side of the attack, just not Sancho. My preference would be a left-footed specialist, it would bring perfect balance to our team. Get a pacey and good-on-the-ball CB, add a promising DM or AM, depending on how Ole views Fred and McTominay, and we would have the basis of a great squad.

We also have to deal with the GK situation, but I don't know if it will be possible after this seasons finishes, considering the current situation that football is in, which limits the amount of drastic actions that we as a club can take.

 

[Revan]

It's his only apparent weakness. He lacks a little explosive pace, at least compared to the R9s/Mbappes of the world. He is fast enough for most situations though.

The other thing is he has a bit of an odd running style. I dont know enough to know if it's bad for him or not, but that's something coaches consider.

He reached 38km/h this season, faster than any player in the league. I haven’t seen him for the youth categories, but people who have say that he is absolutely pacey.

I don’t think it is a weakness. He is fast enough to outpace almost every defender. And those he can’t outpace, he can do stepovers on them.

 

[11101]

He reached 38km/h this season, faster than any player in the league. I haven’t seen him for the youth categories, but people who have say that he is absolutely pacey.

I don’t think it is a weakness. He is fast enough to outpace almost every defender. And those he can’t outpace, he can do stepovers on them.

Explosive pace, not outright pace. You dont notice it so much in players who dont have it, but you notice it in those who do. R9, young Messi, Mbappe. They leave defenders behind within a few steps. James can do it. Greenwood cant, but he has everything else needed to be world class.

 

[Revan]

I'd still go for a player for the right side of the attack, just not Sancho. My preference would be a left-footed specialist, it would bring perfect balance to our team. Get a pacey and good-on-the-ball CB, add a promising DM or AM, depending on how Ole views Fred and McTominay, and we would have the basis of a great squad.

We also have to deal with the GK situation, but I don't know if it will be possible after this seasons finishes, considering the current situation that football is in, which limits the amount of drastic actions that we as a club can take.

I think that Sancho might be a generational talent, and having 3 such players + Martial would be kind of good.

Saying that, I wouldn’t mind if we go for a cheaper but more experienced target, and invest the remaining in a midfielder. I think we are short of a midfielder, we have 5 players for 3 positions, we need another one. But we are shorter in attack, we definitely need an improvement there cause the step down after MMM is huge.

 

[SirAF]

He’s a fecking phenomenon.

 

[Revan]

Explosive pace, not outright pace. You dont notice it so much in players who dont have it, but you notice it in those who do. R9, young Messi, Mbappe. They leave defenders behind within a few steps. James can do it. Greenwood cant, but he has everything else needed to be world class.

Is explosive pace ‘the acceleration’? In which case, I dunno. He looks fast enough with good acceleration but considering that I don’t follow youth categories, I don’t know how good at it he really is.

 

[Eire Red United]

It should depend, in my opinion. At Old Trafford, we need to start showing the willingness to play ball against even the best teams. Away from home it's always a great tactic, but to truly challenge for the top honours, we have to start imposing ourselves in the big games as well.

Fergie usually would have played counter attacking in the big games even at home. Nothing wrong with it though because of the attack we have, push up on them at all and you’ll be cut to bits on the break.

 

[FootyGirl88]

Never forget

 

[Lam]

He has acceleration! Just see the second goal yesterday- he has the option of going on the right and within two seconds he has enough space to take a shot. That’s acceleration.

Yes, mbappe is most likely has a better acceleration and pace over distance, but why are we comparing each of Greenwood’s aspect against the best? Are we building some super robot? What’s next? He doesn’t have CR7’s fitness?

 

[Revan]

He has acceleration! Just see the second goal yesterday- he has the option of going on the right and within two seconds he has enough space to take a shot. That’s acceleration.

Yes, mbappe is most likely has a better acceleration and pace over distance, but why are we comparing each of Greenwood’s aspect against the best? Are we building some super robot? What’s next? He doesn’t have CR7’s fitness?

What do you have against super-robot overlords?

 

[Lam]

What do you have against super-robot overlords?

They can’t do it on a rainy Tuesday night at Stoke

 

[Revan]

They can’t do it on a rainy Tuesday night at Stoke

Easy peasy, we add some Charlie Adam genes.

Btw, can he do throw ins as good as Rony Delap? That is also a weakness.

Kidding aside, Greenwood is a phenomenon. Hard to be level-headed when we are seeing what might well easily be our best prospect since Giggs if not Best.

 

[GorgeousGeorge]

It's his only apparent weakness. He lacks a little explosive pace, at least compared to the R9s/Mbappes of the world. He is fast enough for most situations though.

The other thing is he has a bit of an odd running style. I dont know enough to know if it's bad for him or not, but that's something coaches consider.

Greenwood broke Great Britain’s under-13s 100m sprint record in a race for his Athletic club where he was a specialist trained sprinter, and his sister is a pro track athlete. I HIGHLY doubt there is anything wrong with his running style.

 

[11101]

Is explosive pace ‘the acceleration’? In which case, I dunno. He looks fast enough with good acceleration but considering that I don’t follow youth categories, I don’t know how good at it he really is.

Yes, acceleration. He's not slow, but i say that because some of his other attributes are up there with those names I mentioned when they were his age.

The best striker I've ever seen was R9, and when you compare them at 18 Greenwood is close in a number of areas. Acceleration is the one thing he is quite far off on.

 

[Dante]

They can’t do it on a rainy Tuesday night at Stoke

He has an IP68 rating.