Manchester United youngster Mason Greenwood turns 18 on Tuesday and could well seize the chance to grab an early birthday present on Monday night (tonight).
That’s because his form in the cup competitions and United’s lack of fit strikers makes him likely to get a first Premier League start of the season against Arsenal.
We’ve taken a look at whether he deserves the start and at a couple of United hitmen he could follow in the footsteps of against the Gunners.
Should Greenwood start tonight?
Few could doubt that in the Europa League against Astana and the EFL Cup against Rochdale that Greenwood added pace and adventure to United’s attack.
The question is whether he can step up and bring that quality to the fore against a top six Premier League team under the pressure that brings.
He has taken on every challenge in his way with aplomb, although perhaps it would be more useful for him to operate from the right hand side, where he has played in those cup games.
But that will depend on whether Anthony Martial is fit to return through the middle, otherwise Greenwood will likely get the chance up front on his own.
Arsenal’s backline is fragile, and Greenwood has the quality to make a splash if he can handle the pressure.
Rooney and Rashford point the way
Back in October 2004, Wayne Rooney netted the second goal as United ended Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run.
That 2-0 victory marked his 19th birthday, so Greenwood has the opportunity to make his mark at an even younger age than Rooney did.
And it was against Arsenal that Marcus Rashford made his Premier League debut, back in 2016.
He netted twice in a 3-2 victory, as a young, injury-hit United side stunned Arsene Wenger’s men.
That result perhaps provides a blueprint for success tonight and if Greenwood can emulate Rashford’s goalscoring exploits then, he will get the best early birthday present he could ask for.
- Wayne Rooney drops new Premier League 2026/27 prediction involving Man Utd and three more teams
- Manchester United’s top achiever at every single World Cup in FIFA history
- Man Utd legend Steve Bruce almost declared for Ireland ahead of 1994 World Cup
- Sir Bobby Charlton’s four World Cups with England from tragedy to triumph to agony
- Former Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim is now one of three managers linked with Premier League club
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
