THE CARRINGTON KILLER
14 MASON GREENWOOD
Age 20 Club Manchester United
Nationality English
Position Forward
“Mason is the best young kid I’ve seen since Giggsy,” legendary Manchester United and England captain Bryan Robson tells FourFourTwo. “He’s got great balance, pace and a good physique. He’s only going to get stronger. He’s a bit of a finisher like Ian Rush, as he can hit the ball with so much power despite having such little backlift – I love that he can do that with both feet.”
Like millions of Manchester United fans, Robson is clearly a fan – but he also advises the striker where he can improve.
“Mason could learn from Edinson Cavani’s movement around the box,” he says. “Then when he gets central he’ll have cleverer runs to get across people and can score a few more headers. All Mason has to do is keep his feet on the ground, keep working hard and he’s going to be a top player. He’s been one of Manchester United’s best players so far this season. In time, I see him more as a centre-forward. He’ll have more power in a couple of years.”
And when that happens, it’s time to be very afraid indeed…
Greenwood has plenty of time yet. He joined United at seven, following a similar path to Tom Cleverley from Bradford, West Yorkshire, to Manchester. His talent took him to the club in the first place, but he stood out among his peers and was playing a year above his normal age group. Coaches were stunned when they saw him score two goals in one game, both top-corner curlers from the edge of the box: one left foot, one right. He was 11.
A regular goalscorer, Greenwood always wanted the ball. Coaches tried hard to get him grafting more when his side didn’t have possession, but hoped that side of his game would come as he matured. One substituted him for not working hard enough at U15s level – the first time Greenwood had been taken off. He soon got the
