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da dobrowin： This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
Just where would Manchester United be without Mason Greenwood? Forget the fact he has barely played for the club. The 17-year-old’s meteoric rise has seen him quickly become a silver lining amongst the storm that has engulfed Old Trafford. From years-old issues with the owners and Ed Woodward, to the horror showings on the pitch in recent months, Red Devils fans don’t have much to shout about. But in their teenage academy prospect, they have someone who is turning into a shining light in these dark times, protecting the realm from the toxicity that was spreading around Old Trafford.
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The forward struck the match-winner in an insipid 1-0 victory over FC Astana in the Europa League, and made it two goals from two starts when he fired home against a resilient Rochdale side in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. In a game that exposed all of United’s turmoil, Greenwood was the sole individual the Old Trafford faithful could get behind. And boy did he deliver.
Per Whoscored, the teenager received the highest match rating of any player on the pitch and it’s easy to see why. Apart from his ice-cold finish in the second-half, Greenwood always sought to embrace the responsibility of trying to be his side’s hero, shouldering a huge attacking burden. By the end of the game, the 17-year-old had fired in seven shots at goal, of which four were on target.
Perhaps just as exciting for United is his decision-making. His five key passes were a game-high, and proved he is more than just a predatory finisher. Playing from the right-hand side, his ability to go both ways gives him considerable versatility in potentially playing a pass or shooting for goal.
Already, the attacker is proving he can be a handful for opposition defences in just his two starts this season. There will undoubtedly be tougher tests ahead than FC Astana and Rochdale, but his massive potential is already under-lining his status as a saviour for United.