[MadMike]

I’m talking about the context of today’s team selection and who he was moved wide for plonker. Clearly he’s played wide right before with a firing cavani in the team last season

The context of today's team selection does not exist alone in atomicity, disconnected from the past. Greenwood is experienced in playing off the right, more than any other player available to start. Playing him right is never an insult.

The idea that he moved wide to make space for Martial is quite bizarre, when the player dropped from the team was James. Has it crossed your mind that he moved wide to get Dan James out of the team?

You shouldn't be calling people plonkers with posts of that quality.

 

[Ole'sattheWheel]

I think his anticipation and creating a goal from half chances are his best attributes. His technique, shot power and precision are seriously RVN esque. He is a great dribbler and his link up is decent.

I think he'd work really well in an old-fashioned "big man little man" CF pairing. He has so many attributes that make him special at such a young age.

Strikers go missing in games when the team plays badly and that happened today despite him getting a goal.

We are really lucky to have him and I can't wait to see him develop for us over the next 10 years.
Onto the next game, we'll be fitter, have more players back and will want to make amends.

 

[Desert Eagle]

If he can improve his heading he'll be a complete modern forward. Class player and we're lucky to have him.

 

[lenny_1248]

Did he play as a 9 or 10 in our academy?

In U-18's he never played as a 10 as far as I remember.
He played quite a lot as RW/LW with D'Mani Mellor as a striker. And of course as a 9.

 

[Trequarista10]

The context of today's team selection does not exist alone in atomicity, disconnected from the past. Greenwood is experienced in playing off the right, more than any other player available to start. Playing him right is never an insult.

The idea that he moved wide to make space for Martial is quite bizarre, when the player dropped from the team was James. Has it crossed your mind that he moved wide to get Dan James out of the team?

You shouldn't be calling people plonkers with posts of that quality.

Correct.

 

[tomaldinho1]

I mean, I explained why I think that decision was made (and I would made the same decision) not based on a seniority assumption.

Ok but James RW vs Martial CF isn’t really clear cut in terms of which is better - Martial’s form is truly poor. Either way, both combinations should have been enough to overcome Soton.

 

[Mike Smalling]

I think this will be his best season in terms of goals scored, as there is now lot's of creativity behind him and solid rotation options so he doesn't get overused. He is also over the second season hump. Hopefully he will get +20.

It's easy to forget just how young he actually is. It is insane that he is a teenager and that he has already delivered two pretty solid seasons for us. If he can bulk up a little without impacting his pace, and work on his ability to poach the easy goals he will be a great CF.

 

[Berbasbullet]

I think this will be his best season in terms of goals scored, as there is now lot's of creativity behind him and solid rotation options so he doesn't get overused. He is also over the second season hump. Hopefully he will get +20.

It's easy to forget just how young he actually is. It is insane that he is a teenager and that he has already delivered two pretty solid seasons for us. If he can bulk up a little without impacting his pace, and work on his ability to poach the easy goals he will be a great CF.

Also, heading. Completely agree though.

 

[Fortitude]

Finishing-wise, Greenwood is better than Rashford but that's not really the bar to compare to.. Greenwood is clinical compared to the vast majority of forwards.

I think Greenwood is a better finisher than Martial, whose fans here call him ice cold and clinical.

However it's still not clear that Greenwood is a better player. We've had entire seasons where we counted on Rashford, and none where we've counted on Greenwood. He's been able to play selectively and make an impact. While Rashford has more suspect decision making than Greenwood, Mason more often just disappears from games when not making an impact.

We'll see soon enough, but they're young players and have plenty of time ahead of time. It's too early to call who is better, but it's easy to see who has done more (Rashford).

Good post.

 

[Marwood]

Exactly the reason why I fear Greenwood wont get to the level he is capable of. They havnt decided his best position. So typical of United. We pissed about with Martial and Rashford. Still with Martial. Are they number 9's or are they not. Also with Pogba. Latest craze is LW. Also with McTominay. Is he box to box or DM. And on and on. Friggin annoying.

For me he is an old school 4-4-2 second striker and would play great alongside a striker who can hold off the CB' and play off Greenwood. Greenwood needs space to run at the defense. He not good at a typical number 9 role where he has to hold up the ball. He is also not ideal at RW because he is not a winger. He can play those roles like Rashford can play number 9 to an extent but it just not his ideal position. But 4-4-2 hardly exists anymore. So maybe number 10 but he is also not quite a number 10.

Either way someone needs to decide where he will end up or he will just be floating around until he stagnates.

There are plenty of No.9's who aren't that typical big hold up type. In fact there are few, its not the way the game is played now.

He can be a brilliant striker if we trust him there.

 

[elmo]

It's a lot closer than that.

At this stage what Rashford has is a superior physical ability. Quicker and more endurance. That's what allows him to keep affecting games when having an off day.

Outside of that? Mason is a better footballer already.

Nah, Mason's the better striker, Rashford is still the better footballer.

Rashford playing with his injuries have made people forget how good he actually was when he was on form.

 

[Godfather]

Still think he's better coming from the side

 

[Giant Midget]

Anyone else think he's become more predictable recently?

Barely goes on the outside anymore, always forcing the Robben cut in on his left.

 

[Buster15]

If he can improve his heading he'll be a complete modern forward. Class player and we're lucky to have him.

Correct. He is looking much more confident and is trying to get into the game a lot more. His passing is improving. This is a big year for him as he turns 20 in a few months. Works well with Cavani.

 

[DWelbz19]

Still think he's better coming from the side

Kind of think the same. I think he's clearly at his best in the final 18 yard line as he's basically a cheat code with his finishing, and I think he gets allowed more space when he does play on the right. That being said, with Martial looking how he is, I'd give him more game time through the middle. Especially once Sancho gets going on the right.

 

[MattofManchester]

But weird Ole saying he didn't have his best day when he was a much better player than about 6 other players, 3 of whom had an absolute calamity.

 

[Godfather]

Kind of think the same. I think he's clearly at his best in the final 18 yard line as he's basically a cheat code with his finishing, and I think he gets allowed more space when he does play on the right. That being said, with Martial looking how he is, I'd give him more game time through the middle. Especially once Sancho gets going on the right.

Let's not forget Cavani who will be immensely important I feel. Especially against sides like Soton on Sunday that sit deep.

 

[V.O.]

But weird Ole saying he didn't have his best day when he was a much better player than about 6 other players, 3 of whom had an absolute calamity.

Will just be a bit of man management from Ole. Greenwood might have come off a bit pleased with himself in the dressing room after getting his goal and Ole wants to keep him grounded, especially as it wasn't a good game for us otherwise. Managers don't use press interviews to give straight up objective ratings of their players much.

 

[MadMike]

Ok but James RW vs Martial CF isn’t really clear cut in terms of which is better - Martial’s form is truly poor. Either way, both combinations should have been enough to overcome Soton.

I understand the first sentence, but we had just come off a game against Leeds where James was poor. Martial hadn’t played since February so Ole probably thought he was due his chance.

I fully agree with the second sentence. Despite many players having bad games we dominated and just weren’t clinical enough to win three game. Also conceded an unfortunate OG. Most frustrating was the petering out at the end. We didn’t push for the win after 75 mins, when Fred came off.

 

[elmo]

Anyone else think he's become more predictable recently?

Barely goes on the outside anymore, always forcing the Robben cut in on his left.

If it works, it works.

Everyone knew what Robben would do, but they still couldn't stop it.

 

[laughtersassassin]

 

[Mike Smalling]

https://www.tuttosport.com/sondaggi/calcio/golden-boy/2021/08/12-84415798/golden_boy_ne_restano_60

Mason Greenwood is up for the Golden Boy award, and voting is through an online fan poll! We need to dust off the bots. I am sensing an epic Dawn McGrath-type victory here!

 

[VanDeBank]

There are plenty of No.9's who aren't that typical big hold up type. In fact there are few, its not the way the game is played now.

He can be a brilliant striker if we trust him there.

Exactly, Haaland is bang average playing with his back to the goal.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

See this is why I think he’s underrated still in this fan base. Considering how strong his overall game is and the continued development he keeps showing I don’t see any case for Rashford being considered the better player currently.

 

[Kag]

I think he plays himself into the first team for good this season. It won’t be him sitting on the bench or getting hooked first; it will be Martial and Rashford instead.

 

[IncyWincySpider]

He will be the best striker in the league by next season.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I think he plays himself into the first team for good this season. It won’t be him sitting on the bench or getting hooked first; it will be Martial and Rashford instead.

Don’t think he started many games on the bench last season. Certainly not after his sluggish opening few weeks. However he seemed to finish every single game on the bench. Be interesting to see if that changes this season. So far so good.

 

[Kag]

Don’t think he started many games on the bench last season. Certainly not after his sluggish opening few weeks. However he seemed to finish every single game on the bench. Be interesting to see if that changes this season. So far so good.

Google reckons 21 league starts last season with 10 substitute appearances (he had a few knocks towards the start). A handful of full 90s, as you say. I’d expect him to edge closer to the 30 mark this season. If he keeps banging then in every week then he’ll make himself very difficult to budge out. My gut feeling is that he’s in for a big season.

 

[Ali Dia]

https://www.tuttosport.com/sondaggi/calcio/golden-boy/2021/08/12-84415798/golden_boy_ne_restano_60

Mason Greenwood is up for the Golden Boy award, and voting is through an online fan poll! We need to dust off the bots. I am sensing an epic Dawn McGrath-type victory here!

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

Exactly, Haaland is bang average playing with his back to the goal.

Which is hilarious because I think most on here see Haaland’s frame and just assume he’s an old school RVN type goal scorer when in reality he reminds me more of a Saha on steroids.

There are hardly any strikers that are “back to goal” target men types anymore, it’s not how the game is played and teams require more out of their forwards for that to be effective. Which is why I don’t think Greenwood bulking up anymore would be of help, I’d rather just see him develop his instincts as a central striker with timing his movement as well as becoming just a “decent” header of the ball

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

Google reckons 21 league starts last season with 10 substitute appearances (he had a few knocks towards the start). A handful of full 90s, as you say. I’d expect him to edge closer to the 30 mark this season. If he keeps banging then in every week then he’ll make himself very difficult to budge out. My gut feeling is that he’s in for a big season.

For me, he should be ahead of Rashford in the pecking order (which I don't think Ole will do), and obviously the likes of Martial and James. Genuinely exciting talent.

 

[Frank White]

For me, he should be ahead of Rashford in the pecking order (which I don't think Ole will do), and obviously the likes of Martial and James. Genuinely exciting talent.

What position is he competing with Rashford for? Rashford will be at LW will he not? Mason plays predominantly on the right or CF so he’s competing with Sancho/Cavani.

 

[Teja]

What position is he competing with Rashford for? Rashford will be at LW will he not? Mason plays predominantly on the right or CF so he’s competing with Sancho/Cavani.

Sancho left, Greenwood right instead of Rashford left, Sancho right.

But anyway, I think he's ready to take on the #9 role for us, so it might end up being a non-issue.

 

[Frank White]

Sancho left, Greenwood right instead of Rashford left, Sancho right.

But anyway, I think he's ready to take on the #9 role for us, so it might end up being a non-issue.

Thought Sancho was brought in as a solution to the huge glaring problem on the right? Either way Rashford won’t be competing with Mason for any position other than maybe back up CF.

 

[Kag]

Thought Sancho was brought in as a solution to the huge glaring problem on the right? Either way Rashford won’t be competing with Mason for any position other than maybe back up CF.

He’s a forward; he’ll play both left and right when it suits. If Rashford plays as poorly as he did during the back end of last season then a Greenwood-Cavani-Sancho front three won’t be far away.

 

[bosnian_red]

Saka, DCL, Lingard, Bamford all shockingly picked ahead of him. feck England, let him develop with us and stay fresh.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Feck the waistcoat wanker.

 

[bosnian_red]

 

[Rolaholic]

What is this mentalist even on about??? Has he been diagnosed with a terminal illness or suffered a personal tragedy overnight suddenly?

 

[We need an rvn]

What is this mentalist even on about??? Has he been diagnosed with a terminal illness or suffered a personal tragedy overnight suddenly?

It's a very odd thing to say about why a player is not in the squad as it raises more questions than answers - specially when he should be in the squad ahead of the players @bosnian_red has just stated.

But now I feel we need a better answer from England / United too as it has people concerned