Football News

Gary Neville: Man Utd youngster Greenwood is a better finisher than Rashford

By James Richards

Published: 18:41, 16 December 2019

Gary Neville believes Mason Greenwood is a better finisher than England international and Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford.

The former United defender has labelled the Red Devils youngster ‘the real deal’ following his explosive performances for the club this season.

Mason Greenwood’s season so far: Five things to know…

  • Greenwood made his senior debut on the final day of last season.
  • He has netted seven times so far 2019/20 for United.
  • Jadon Sancho (11) and Gabriel Martinelli (8) are the only teenagers in Europe’s top-five league to have more this season.
  • Greenwood bagged his latest goal against Everton at the weekend.
  • Following that strike, Gary Neville called the 18-year-old a better finisher than Marcus Rashford.

Despite United’s struggles this season, Greenwood’s performances have been one of the highlights and he continued his good form at the weekend. Following another fine display, former United defender Neville admitted he thought the 18-year-old was a better finisher than United and England striker Rashford.

“I like Greenwood a lot,” he said on the Gary Neville Podcast. “The composure that he shows at such a young age, his great physical presence.

“The way in which he finishes is that of a top centre-forward. Sometimes when you see a young player in front of goal, they panic a bit and snatch at things – [Daniel] James and [Jesse] Lingard do that quite a lot.

“But I’d say Greenwood is a better finisher than Rashford – and that’s saying something. He really does look the real deal. I think Solskjaer knows that and he’s going to bleed him in.”

United could only pick up a point at home to Everton on Sunday leaving them four points behind Chelsea who sit in the final Champions League place.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men travel to Watford at the weekend to take on Nigel Pearson’s Hornets.

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Academy runs deep at United

Greenwood’s emergence as another bright prospect just highlights how productive the United academy has been. Neville, one of the class of ’92, admits it is an important part of the club’s history and future.

“The academy is bedded deep in this football club – Greenwood is obviously another product – and it’s something Manchester United should be really proud of,” Neville said.

“United have always believed in young players. Even in difficult moments in the last six or seven years. Louis van Gaal, for instance, brought through Rashford and Lingard and believed in them, and then Jose Mourinho showed great faith in Scott McTominay at a time when I wasn’t sure he was a midfielder.

“Solskjaer is no different. He has taken it right back and really promoted the youth players. There have been times when I thought are these players being pushed in because of the history rather than them being good enough, but I think they’ve seen that they are good enough.”

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