Manchester United star Mason Greenwood’s training ground row as goal drought ends

Man Utd: Greenwood back in England U21 squad

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.

Manchester United’s defeat to Leicester on Sunday carried few positives. It was a dire day at the office for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, who toiled throughout the showdown at the King Power Stadium. But Mason Greenwood was a shining light – and must now justify his manager’s decision to back him after a training ground row with Alexis Sanchez in 2019.

Manchester United were wretched against Leicester.

Harry Maguire produced a woeful display on his return to the King Power Stadium, with the England international getting outplayed by Foxes striker Kelechi Iheanacho,

Fred was similarly abysmal, with the Brazil international getting outran by the likes of Wilfred Ndidi and Youri Tielemans.

And Anthony Martial produced another flat display that will only fuel talk of a move away from Old Trafford this summer.

Greenwood, however, was the only positive.

The United star went into the game against Leicester having failed to find the net in since the club’s 3-2 FA Cup victory over Liverpool in January.

THINK YOU KNOW SPORT? Test your sporting knowledge with our tricky quiz

And he took his chance well, striking a powerful effort past Kasper Schmeichel after some good work from Donny van de Beek.

Now, the onus is on Greenwood to achieve consistency.

The United star became embroiled in a training ground row with Sanchez back in the summer of 2019 after going in hard on the Chile international.

Sanchez was furious but Solskjaer chose to back his young superstar instead.

Weeks later, the former Arsenal star was loaned to Inter Milan. And, after admitting he never wanted to play for United in the first place, he was permanently sold back in the summer.

Last term, Greenwood outperformed his former team-mate – scoring 17 times across all competitions.

DON’T MISS

Alex Telles ‘to be used in Man Utd swap deal’

Chelsea may have signed perfect Haaland partner

Lionel Messi’s Barcelona anger explained

But when it comes to the Premier League and Serie A, Sanchez is ahead of the 19-year-old this term.

The Inter Milan star has found the net five times amid Antonio Conte’s hunt for the Scudetto, while also registering five assists.

Greenwood, meanwhile, has scored just one Premier League goal – clocking up a single assist in the process, too.

United aren’t too concerned. Though the goals have dried up, the England international has improved his overall game and is still on the right track to superstardom.

But he must now score with more frequency, especially given the struggles of Martial this term.

United got rid of Sanchez to aid Greenwood’s development and, recently, tied their young forward down to a new contract on improved terms.

Yet if he’s to become the No 9 Solskjaer sees him as, then he must up the ante and get his name on the scoresheet more often.

United are willing to give him all the time he needs.

But the onus is on Greenwood to justify his manager’s decision to back him over Sanchez in the long run.

Sanchez was never going to be given a second chance at Old Trafford but it was the ‘we believe in you’ statement that’s so significant right now.

With his goal drought over, and United having much to play for, the teenager needs to show he’s worth all the hype.

Meanwhile, Greenwood recently talked about life with the Red Devils with the club’s former centre-back Rio Ferdinand.

And when asked what his best position is, the youngster admitted he was unsure.

“I don’t really know to be honest,” he told Rio Ferdinand in an interview with BT Sport.

“I’m happy to play on the right, I’m happy to play on the left I’m happy to play as a centre-forward.

“I’m not really sure to be honest. I always wanted to be a striker but I’ve also been a winger in the youth team and in the academy.

“I would like to play up front eventually, once I’m older and fill out a bit more, get a bit bigger and stronger because the centre-halves are always big and strong at the back.

“It’s a place I want to play, I do want to play centre-forward eventually, but I’m happy on the right and it’s a good position to work from really.”

Source: Read Full Article