Mason Greenwood is one heck of a young player. Give him a chance to shoot on goal, and he will nearly always score.
He showed how lethal he can be in first half injury time against FC Copenhagen, when he was sent through, before lashing the ball across the goalkeeper and in off the post to give United the lead. It was a strike reminiscent of his one away at LASK in Austria.
But the goal was called back for offside and ruled out, rightly so. Replays clearly showed Greenwood was at least one yard off.
It was disappointing, and Greenwood showed his annoyance after the game, posting a message on Instagram which just read, ‘VAR’ with an angry emoji, before turning his positive energy to celebrating United’s qualification to the Europa League semi-finals.
It was hard luck for Greenwood because not only was the goal a high quality one, it would have been a historically significant one.
This season he has scored 17 goals, the same number as George Best and Wayne Rooney netted in their debut campaigns for United. This was his moment to go one clear.
It is still an amazing achievement to be level with both, but Greenwood will not get many more opportunities to move in front.
He hit the post in the second half, agonisingly, and was then taken off for extra-time with Juan Mata coming on to provide a different approach, which helped make the breakthrough.
Greenwood will get another opportunity in the semi-final. His goal may have been ruled out, but it was a real warning to all opponents that they cannot afford to give him space, because he will make them pay, and a reminder to everybody watching of just how good he is.
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