The Anthony Martial injury presents an opportunity for Mason Greenwood that he must take to cement a first-team place in the Manchester United side. The young Englishman already showed glimpses of what he can do in Martial’s absence against Brighton & Hove Albion, netting the winner.
Martial Injury Presents Opportunity for Mason Greenwood
Martial Injury Could See Frenchman Miss Rest of the Season
International breaks are always looked upon with trepidation by club managers as they fear players picking up injuries that can have a significant knock-on effect on their clubs’ season.
Such fears have been realised by Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with striker Anthony Martial picking up a knee injury playing for France which will likely keep him out for the rest of the current Premier League season. Initial reports suggested that the injury was minor but Solskjaer confirmed to that it is a serious knock, saying: “He sprained his knee with France and it looks like he’ll be out for a few weeks, definitely. But we hope to get him back before the end of the season but we’re not sure”
Greenwood Has Chance to Shine
The injury to Martial seemed to have an impact on his Manchester United teammates as they fell behind after just thirteen minutes to Brighton, but it was Greenwood who stepped up and showed his sheer determination to score- giving United all three points and showing that he can be the player to fill the void left by Martial’s injury.
Greenwood needs to stay focused on the and off the pitch, however, as was proven when he and England teammate Phil Foden were withdrawn from the England squad when they broke coronavirus quarantine rules when in Iceland. This was meant to be a proud moment for Greenwood and a chance to show how his clear raw talent alongside his growing maturity. Sadly, it highlighted the exact opposite when with England.
Solskjaer’s Backing
Despite that error in judgement, boss Solskjaer was quick to defend and protect his young talent telling Sky Sports; “This has been a learning curve for him. He has to reflect on where he’s at, what he needs to do and how he to can get to where he wants to get.”
Following Greenwood’s diving header to seal the three points against Brighton, the manager was keen to praise the hard work that the player has been doing, adding new dimensions to his game: “I’m pleased with his overall performance again very good. He was bright, tidy, clean on the ball, hit the post and one that went over the bar, maybe deflected, in the second half.”
Raw Talent and Adaptability
Whilst Greenwood may still have some raw edges to iron out, there can be no doubting his talent and where he really excels. His ability to adapt to different positions effectively makes him the perfect utility man. If he is asked to play, he will play where he is put and give his all to the cause.
He can play as a number ten, a right or left winger and has that most valuable of skills that elude so many, the ability to comfortably use both feet. This makes him a tricky customer to come up against. A defender must guess whether he goes outside or cuts in, he has the ability to cause damage to his opponents.
If he can keep his head down and focus on his game, the opportunity for Mason Greenwood could now be the biggest of his young career.
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