Greenwood dazzles as Lukaku cries off
ON a night when Romelu Lukaku’s injury problems began to look more than a little coincidental, young Mason Greenwood emerged as a genuine candidate to replace him at Manchester United.
Lukaku wants to join Inter Milan as the Italian club — United’s next opponents on tour in Singapore — prepare a fresh bid believed to be worth a total of £75million.
The Belgium striker was unavailable for the second game in a row after picking up another minor injury in training, exacerbating a situation that is beginning to frustrate his manager.
Who can say if the fitness issues are connected with the speculation over his future?
‘Of course it’s not ideal when you miss training sessions,’ said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. ‘He’s missed two chances to play 45 minutes. At this stage of the season it’s important for us we get everyone fit, so hopefully he’ll be available soon.’
It has created an opportunity for Greenwood and the gifted 17-yearold took it with both hands at the Optus Stadium yesterday.
Given the opening 45 minutes to impress, he needed less than seven minutes to score his first senior goal.
It owed much to the vision of Paul Pogba, whose excellent reverse pass played in Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
United’s new £ 50m signing crossed first time and Greenwood produced a nerveless finish from close-range.
Solskjaer agreed the teenager is playing himself into contention for a place in United’s team to face Chelsea at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season.
‘He’s got a chance to start that one, definitely,’ said the United manager. ‘He’s more than capable. It’s a good possibility if he keeps going as he does.
‘He’s got every opportunity to make it as a United player. It’s also going to be about luck, staying clear of injuries and being professional but I’m sure he’s going to grab his chance because everything is there for him.’
United’s senior players have been aware of the youngster’s prowess for some time.
They are said to have shared videos of his goals for the academy — 30 in 29 games across the age-groups last season — at the training ground.
Jose Mourinho was sufficiently impressed to take Greenwood on tour to the US last summer, even though the then 16-year-old was so young that even the club photographers couldn’t take pictures of him. He signed professional terms in October and became the youngest United player to start a Premier League game when Solskjaer named him in the lineup for the final match of last season against Cardiff.
Lukaku has the experience and track record but Greenwood’s pace and movement make him a more suitable fit for the fast, interchangeable system the manager wants from his forwards.
‘Of course, we’re delighted with the goal,’ said Solskjaer. ‘Even though we’ve always said and know he’s capable of scoring, that first goal is going to be a weight off his shoulders.
‘His movement, cleverness, he’s going to be a very good player the young boy. He can play all the front-three positions or front four really. He’s a natural footballer.
‘ You know when he takes a penalty with his left, with his right, free-kicks left, free-kicks right, he is almost what you call 50- 50. Maybe 51- 49 ( per cent) left footed.’
Greenwood impressed in the first half along with Marcus Rashford who scored an excellent second goal. Pogba was also to the fore on a day when his agent Mino Raiola once again tried to cast doubt over his future.
Solskjaer made 11 changes at half-time against a Leeds side who only had five substitutes and Phil Jones headed the third before Anthony Martial converted from the penalty spot.