Greenwood rescues United in Everton draw

MASON GREENWOOD came off the bench to rescue Manchester United as the teenage striker’s late equaliser secured a 1-1 draw against Everton yesterday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side fell behind to Victor Lindelof ’s controversial first half own-goal after United’s appeals for a foul on David de Gea were ignored by VAR.

“It was a clear foul but there’s no point me complaining. It (VAR) will be better next year. They’ll have to look at it,” Solskjaer said.

But Greenwood, introduced in the second half, underlined his vast potential with a clinical

strike 13 minutes from fulltime.

The 18-year-old is the third youngest player to score a Premier League goal at Old Trafford after former United forwards Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck.

Bradford-born Greenwood, a product of United’s youth academy, now has seven goals in his breakthrough season after netting twice in his previous appearance against Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday.

This was his second Premier League goal after his strike against Sheffield United in November and his rapid progress is a bright spot in a difficult season for Solskjaer’s sixth placed team.

It was fitting that Greenwood scored in the 4,000th senior match in succession in which at least one youth graduate was represented in United’s first-team or matchday squad, an extraordinary record stretching back over nine decades.

After their impressive wins over Tottenham and Manchester City in their last two league games, United’s frustrating draw reaffirmed how much improvement is still needed under Solskjaer despite Greenwood’s ascent.

“Today is not a big step backwards, it’s more of a stand still, not improving,” said Solskjaer.

For Duncan Ferguson, Everton’s caretaker manager, this spirited performance built on the momentum from last weekend’s win over Chelsea.

Hit by injuries and illness, Everton were more solid than under the sacked Marco Silva.

But Ferguson, a popular club legend, insisted he isn’t the right man to lead Everton in the long-term.

“I think it’s buying them a bit of time until they can get the right man in. That’s what a couple of results does, so we can make that process more diligent,” he said.

“We need the best manager in the world to manage Everton Football Club and I’ve not got the right experience. I’m all for us bringing in a top manager and if I can be part of it, brilliant.” – AFP