Man Utd 1 Young Boys 1: Mason Greenwood nets brilliant goal as Ralf Rangnick’s fringe stars end group stage with draw
MASON GREENWOOD staked his claim for a starting spot in the Premier League this weekend with a spectacular goal at Old Trafford.
Manager Ralf Rangnick said this game was a chance for everyone outside of last Sunday’s first team to show him what they can do.
His predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knew what Greenwood could do which is why he labelled him the best finisher in the club.
New boss Rangnick got a close up look too as the 20-year-old put Manchester United ahead in this Group F Champions League encounter.
Luke Shaw was the supplier having nipped the ball back from the byline but there was still much to do.
The thing with Greenwood is he makes everything look so simple no matter what the problem.
So with the ball flying behind him rather than rolling to his feet he just made a quick adjustment and executed a scissor kick volley.
He could not have met the ball with his left foot better despite the angle his body was at.
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Goalkeeper Guillaume Faivre had no chance. When things like this happen the 20-year-old is the least surprised of everyone about the end result.
Left foot, right foot, close in, edge of area, he is a danger all round the box and scores all kinds of goals.
It was his fifth of the season in his first start since the 2-0 home defeat to Manchester city on November 6.
Greenwood is devoting himself to firmly establishing himself in the first team again, at the expense of his international aspirations.
He has told Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate he does not want to be considered for now.
But this player will be a star for club AND country going forward.
In Rangnick’s 4-2-2-2 formation he could play in one of the two number ten roles as well as up front, such is his ability to run from deep, pull this way and that, cut in, the lot.
Donny van de Beek was another hoping to catch Rangnick’s eye.
It was thought that if anyone was going to benefit from Solskjaer’s departure it was him.
Idolised by the fans, for what reason nobody seems to explain he is apparently the answer to United’s midfield creative problems.
Except he is not, in fact he is just not very good, as he proved again last night by assisting Young Boys in their 42nd minute equaliser.
Receiving a ball from Nemanja Matic at the back he tried a smarter pass than was needed to Aaron Wan Bissaka.
He wasn’t ready, the pass was reckless and Fabian Rieder was on to it, curling a shot into the far top corner from just outside the area.
Both Amad and Anthony Elanga had chances to add to United’s tally in either half.
The former getting caught between two stools and the latter denied by a fine save.
Both times they were set up by Jesse Lingard. He is most likely on his way to West Ham next month but what a player for Rangnick to have in his squad.
While Young Boys were still looking for a win to possibly claim third and a Europa League spot, this game did not mean anything to United having already topped Group F.
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The whole team and bench was changed and even goalkeeper Tom Heaton got his first start for the club ten years after leaving.
Pundit Robbie Savage’s son Charlie, another academy graduate, got a late run out too.
Greenwood is a great example to all of those coming through as to what can be achieved.