Greenwood scores again as Man Utd begin International Champions Cup campaign with win against Inter Milan
TEENAGE striker Mason Greenwood made sure Manchester United did not pay the penalty with a cool strike that cleared the air in stifling Singapore.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team had done everything but score in a very promising display against Antonio Conte’s unconvincing Inter.
But as the game headed towards a penalty shootout, Greenwood emerged from a 10-strong crowd of substitutes to seal the victory that United deserved.
The 17-year-old showed great composure to turn inside his man and bury a shot in the Inter net with 14 minutes to go.
Only moments later he clipped a cross from fellow sub Tahith Chong on to the crossbar but he had already done enough to make it three wins out of three for Solskjaer’s tourists.
Inter were in theory most accomplished opponents that United had faced on tour and Solskjaer’s starting 11 reflected that.
David De Gea, who has still not signed a new contract, made his first appearance of the trip.
Inter target Romelu Lukaku was not even on the bench because of an alleged injury, but apart from his absence and the choice of Axel Tuanzebe in central defence, it was arguably United’s strongest 11.
HUFF & PUFF
United were much the better team in the first half but struggled to create a clear-cut chance in the opening half hour.
Luke Shaw had gone closest with one of a few shots from distance before Anthony Martial played him in behind the Inter defence.
Shaw’s cross was good but Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic diverted it off course and Marcus Rashford was unable to get the ball out of his feet.
Much to the disappointment of a crowd that was more than 90 per cent dressed in red. They were even more horrified when Daniel James fired wide after being teed up by a marauding Victor Lindelof.
United did look a little vulnerable from crosses, with two deliveries in quick succession causing problems.
But a positive half for Solskjaer’s team ended with Handanovic making two interventions, first to smother a Martial shot and then to clear as Rashford ran on to a Paul Pogba through ball.
IT WAS COMING
United piled on the pressure early in the second half.
Jesse Lingard had a shot cleared off the line, Nemanja Matic hit the post with a header from a corner and then Handanovic saved a Pogba shot.
Inter had a couple of sights of goal themselves and then United lost Lindelof to injury.
Soon Solskjaer made ten further changes in one mass substitution, but United remained very much on top with Chong particularly lively.
Then Greenwood struck. He had plenty to do even after Handanovic pushed Young’s free kick straight to him.
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But the youngster cut inside and then smashed a shot around and past a crowd of Inter defender to seal the win that United so deserved.
Greenwood was close to grabbing a second, and his third of the tour after his goal against Leeds.
His future looks bright and so, right now, does United’s.
