Mason Greenwood: Man Utd’s teenage forward who has been attracting glancing eyes from the blue half of the city
THE Red half of Manchester hasn’t come out on top too often in their recent battles with the neighbours across town.
But in the land of small victories, step forward golden boy Mason Greenwood, the teen putting a broad smile on the face of everyone at Old Trafford.
Greenwood is just 17 but has been playing two years above himself.
He has long been tipped to become the next big thing to pull on a first team shirt.
And his rise was recognised after winning the club's Jimmy Murphy Youth Team Player of the Year award last season.
He said: "I just work hard on finishing after every training session. I try and score in all the training games, so that helps me and I just try and do it in the games."
The attacking midfielder or striker’s talents haven’t gone unnoticed at the Etihad, and City cast hopeful glances in his direction.
This is one battle United were determined NOT to lose, and why they were keen to get a contract signed, to avoid a Ryan Giggs-in-reverse scenario.
HISTORY LESSON
Giggs spent two years at Man City's youth team before joining United.
And it’s easy to see why United are so keen on Greenwood.
Just have a look at his clips on YouTube and it will immediately become clear why they all rate him so highly.
Greenwood has been a shining light for Utd’s Under 18s, after they took him on last summer’s preseason tour to Austria as the youngest kid on the trip.
His performances earned recognition from England’s Under 17s.
United insiders admit he is so gifted they “don’t know the limit of his abilities yet,” as he continues to steal the show.
Greenwood's talents impressed Jose Mourinho but it was his successor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who gave the youngster his first-team debut.
Thrown into the fray late on at the Parc des Princes in March before a late cameo against Arsenal four days later.
He got his first minutes on the sacred Old Trafford turf in April, but Sunday against the Bluebirds looks likely to see the next step in his story.
This moment has been coming for a long time with Greenwood starring in the club's academy.
He debuted for United's U18s in August 2017 and struck a hat-trick two months later.
POGBOY
Greenwood has earned favourable comparisons with Paul Pogba, with his rangy running style and strength making him difficult to knock off the ball.
Although a natural left footer, he is equally capable with his right, and will use either when taking free kicks – a fact that has regularly amused his youth coaches.
Of course there have been plenty of highly-rated teenagers who have come to grief over the final couple of hurdles when looking destined to go all the way.
But those close to Greenwood insist he is level headed, sensible and down to earth.
There’s no reason to suspect that will change any time soon – keep your eyes peeled, because this is one kid you WOULD put your house on reaching the very top.
