Where do you rank Mason Greenwood as a talent?

Maluco

Last Man Standing 3 champion 2019/20
Joined
Jan 4, 2014
Messages
5,765
He is the most exciting 18 year old in world football and he is a Manchester United player and product. You can’t help but be excited.

He doesn’t rely on pace either or one singular attribute. He is the real deal
 

Paxi

Dagestani MMA Boiled Egg Expert
Joined
Mar 4, 2017
Messages
27,678
Interesting. He doesn’t look that fast though, does he? Certainly not to me he doesn’t. I mean I’m in no way saying he’s slow but maybe I’m just being harsh. Point taken anyway.
 

wylodyka

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jun 11, 2015
Messages
10
-10PA in Football Manager terms. The way he scored the first goal against Brighton and this second goal, he is a two footed Van Persie playing in right wing.
 

Massive Spanner

Give Mason Mount a chance!
Joined
Jul 2, 2014
Messages
27,891
Location
Tool shed
Genuinely think he's better than Rooney was at that age.
I'm not sure how anyone who saw Rooney at that age play regularly can have that opinion. He was ridiculous. Possibly the most mature teenager I've ever seen as a footballer. Maybe because Rooney never quite reached the heights he should have been capable of people have a blinkered view of him now as a teenager but he was incredible. Greenwood looks amazing too but Rooney as an overall footballer was still streets ahead. No doubt Mason is a much better finisher than Rooney was, though.
 

Paxi

Dagestani MMA Boiled Egg Expert
Joined
Mar 4, 2017
Messages
27,678
Reminds me of Van Persie, two footed, clever, lethal finisher, but faster! :eek:
Someone made a great point that comparing him to RvP would be limiting Mason at this point. RVP had an absolutely wand of a left but his right wasn’t up to much. Greenwood can literally go either way which just gives him a different dimension. Supremely talented.
 

MAME DIOUF 32

Full Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2013
Messages
3,577
He's a better player at 18 than Cristiano Ronaldo was and much like the later version who dribbled less and focused on scoring goals.
 

Niall

All Powerful Super Being
Staff
Joined
Jun 13, 1999
Messages
24,547
As gifted and exciting a boy he is, have to strongly disagree. Rooney that age was something else.
Agree with this. Rooney was tearing it up at Euro 2004 at that age (until he busted his metatarsal). Mason not quite there yet but what potential he has.
 

Ibi Dreams

Full Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2010
Messages
6,146
Trying not to get carried away, but he is a joy to watch right now. The way he hits shots with such power and accuracy from difficult angles is really something. For that first goal I thought the keeper could have done better, but after seeing it again you can see he absolutely smashed it and the keeper just couldn't move quickly enough.

Incredibly exciting player to have in our squad
 

ThinkTank@Cafe

Full Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2019
Messages
2,381
Location
Kazakhstan
Reminds me of Van Persie, two footed, clever, lethal finisher, but faster and potentially physically stronger as he gets older! :eek:
a player like van Persie but fast van Persie is contender for GOAT. All depends on Mason determination to succeed. No ceiling.
 

Maluco

Last Man Standing 3 champion 2019/20
Joined
Jan 4, 2014
Messages
5,765
I'm not sure how anyone who saw Rooney at that age play regularly can have that opinion. He was ridiculous. Possibly the most mature teenager I've ever seen as a footballer. Maybe because Rooney never quite reached the heights he should have been capable of people have a blinkered view of him now as a teenager but he was incredible. Greenwood looks amazing too but Rooney as an overall footballer was still streets ahead. No doubt Mason is a much better finisher than Rooney was, though.
Definitely. Rooney was a force of nature. It’s sad that his memory has been tarnished by his last few years here. Young Rooney was something else.
 

DoomSlayer

New Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2019
Messages
4,875
Location
Bulgaria
Interesting. He doesn’t look that fast though, does he? Certainly not to me he doesn’t. I mean I’m in no way saying he’s slow but maybe I’m just being harsh. Point taken anyway.
That was my initial point, his body movement is so unique that it doesn't even look as if he is exceptionally fast.

Mason also is constantly going through physical progress at the moment, I believe in a couple of years, when he fully settles with his mature body, the end result would be a phenomenal player.

I always knew he was a special talent, but what he is showing this season is beyond any of my wildest dreams. :eek:
 

Castia

Full Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2011
Messages
18,284
15 goals at 18 playing mostly out wide is amazing. Top talent.
 

Niall

All Powerful Super Being
Staff
Joined
Jun 13, 1999
Messages
24,547
Someone made a great point that comparing him to RvP would be limiting Mason at this point. RVP had an absolutely wand of a left but his right wasn’t up to much. Greenwood can literally go either way which just gives him a different dimension. Supremely talented.
Good point. For some reason I was remembering RVP as good with both feet, but actually he was heavily left footed.
 

The Purley King

Full Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2014
Messages
4,227
His best quality is his two footedness. Is that a word?
Can’t show him one way as a defender in the knowledge he’ll be shooting with his swinger.
That makes him extremely hard to defend against when he’s running at you.
Sky is the limit for him and his additional bulk will be beneficial.
Very very excited to see what he’ll become
 

Paxi

Dagestani MMA Boiled Egg Expert
Joined
Mar 4, 2017
Messages
27,678
That was my initial point, his body movement is so unique that it doesn't even look as if he is exceptionally fast.

Mason also is constantly going through physical progress at the moment, I believe in a couple of years, when he fully settles with his mature body, the end result would be a phenomenal player.

I always knew he was a special talent, but what he is showing this season is beyond any of my wildest dreams. :eek:
Exactly he’s still has a body of a boy. You can bulk up all you want but you’ve still got a young mans body. At 24-25 he will be a beast.
 

shahzy

Full Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2014
Messages
985
When rashford broke through and we heard people calling him the next best English player since sliced bread there was me, calling him a bit of a kick and run merchant. That was very very unpopular opinion at the time as we know how the English media hype train goes. I wasn't that impressed. So I consider myself a harsh critic especially as you can see Rashford has become a good player for us (20 goals this season and counting). But for me 'great' players have something else and you can notice it straight away even when they are young.

With mason, this guy is 100% the real deal, he has that x factor. Combination of great attitude (always hungry for the ball, always looking to score from any position he receives the ball, not hiding at all) and brilliant technical ability, this kid has got it. I saw the same thing with Messi when he was 18, i couldn't believe that he was only 18 years old and playing like that. Now i'm not saying Mason will be as good as Messi, i'm just saying i have the same feeling with Mason as i did when observing 18 year old Messi.

He is by far the best academy player Ive seen in the past 15 years for us. He is what I'd expect to see come out of Barca's youth system. Very comfortable on the ball, brilliant dribbling, knows where to be and when to go, comfortable shooting with both feet, and the only way you're getting the ball is by fouling him. That's classic Barca Youth player characteristics.

This guy is up there. I'll say he'll be one of our best players in this clubs history should he choose to stay his career here
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: nimic

Camy89

Love Island obsessive
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Messages
7,376
Location
Glasgow
Probably the most exciting talent we've seen in a long time. Ranks higher than Rashford imo - I was at that Arsenal game at OT where we won 3-2 and Rashford got 2 (think it was his 3rd game or something) and I was impressed by him, but watching Greenwood...there's something different. Something more.

His shot is so fecking lethal, add the mix that he's strong with both feet and he's a defender's nightmare. I'm always confident he'll get a great shot off, something I'm less sure of with Rashford.

Need to hold on to him, let him mature and nurture him. Future United legend easy if things go well for him.
 

Eriku

Full Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
16,123
Location
Oslo, Norway
Greenwood, like Haaland, has ridiculous goalscoring instincts for his age. In particular the quickness of getting the shot off, and in terms of feigning so he gets the defenders and the goalkeeper to be off their timing for half a second.

The amount of goals he has already where he shows for the far post and then smashes it into the near corner is astounding. Ole was a master at that stuff, too :)

Getting more and more excited about Greenwood.
 

Paxi

Dagestani MMA Boiled Egg Expert
Joined
Mar 4, 2017
Messages
27,678
Good point. For some reason I was remembering RVP as good with both feet, but actually he was heavily left footed.
It’s bizarre that we’re taking about RvP being a limiting factor here. In reality if we get RvP like player without the injuries we’ll have absolutely insane player on our hands. It’s easy to forget that RvP was also a crazy talent, so skilful too.
 

Revan

Assumptionman
Joined
Dec 19, 2011
Messages
49,419
Location
London
Best 18 year old to have played for us (at least since I watch football). Rooney was good, but he played in a much-settled team and was starting pretty much every game. He had 2 more goals than Greenwood has now.

He might be the best finisher I have seen at United (maybe RvN but that is it). It doesn't matter where he is, it doesn't matter left or right, if you give him an inch of space, the ball is gonna end in the net.

If we sign Sancho, both Sancho and Martial are gonna struggle to keep Greenwood out of the team.
 

Tarrou

Full Member
Joined
May 13, 2013
Messages
25,537
Location
Sydney
at United I'd put him slightly behind Giggs and Rooney, but in fairness those two were very physically developed at 17/18 so it's hard to compare

Greenwood's goal-scoring ability is looking pretty god-like at this point though, I haven't seen a young striker this composed in front of goal since Fowler
 

hellhunter

Eurofighter
Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Messages
17,994
Location
Stuttgart, Germany
Supports
Karlsruher SC
Do we expect him to make a career as CF or as RF?

His finishing would suggest CF, but on the other hand even playing on the wing, he doesnt seem to struggle for opportunities.
 

Classical Mechanic

Full Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2014
Messages
35,216
Location
xG Zombie Nation
He doesn't have a weaker foot. Watch him in the academy games taking free kicks and penalties with either foot.
His left is clearly his stronger foot, we’ve seen that since he’s stepped up as he’s relied on it far more than in youth football. That doesn’t mean that his right isn’t very strong too.
 

Niall

All Powerful Super Being
Staff
Joined
Jun 13, 1999
Messages
24,547
It’s bizarre that we’re taking about RvP being a limiting factor here. In reality if we get RvP like player without the injuries we’ll have absolutely insane player on our hands. It’s easy to forget that RvP was also a crazy talent, so skilful too.
Absolutely. Our last world class striker (Rooney had peaked by then). If Greenwood reaches that level we’re laughing!
 

SilentWitness

ShoelessWitness
Staff
Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
30,140
Supports
Everton
I don't think I have seen someone of his age with that power and accuracy in his finishing. Long way to go though. Rooney was winning games on his own and had all of Englands hopes resting on him in major tournaments at that age. Greenwood has exciting potential and clear WC attributes but Rooney was already fairly complete by the age of 18 which is barmy.
 

flappyjay

Full Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2016
Messages
5,931
As gifted and exciting a boy he is, have to strongly disagree. Rooney that age was something else.
Rooney was already playing like a 23-24 year old at the same age. That said if Mason stays fit he will eventually break Rooney's United record.
 

Paxi

Dagestani MMA Boiled Egg Expert
Joined
Mar 4, 2017
Messages
27,678
I thought he had Figo potential, boy was I wrong.
Same. Never thought he’d have 726 goals. SAf didn’t know it. No one did. He just turned into a goat level player so fast but obviously it was years in a making hence the weirdness off it. But I definitely didn’t expect what he is. I mean do you know a single person that did? Best winger in the world at some point? Sure! But best player of all time. Highest goal scorer of all time? (He’ll get pat 805 goals) Absolutely did not see that coming and if anyone did they should be working as fecking scout right now.
 

Paxi

Dagestani MMA Boiled Egg Expert
Joined
Mar 4, 2017
Messages
27,678
Absolutely. Our last world class striker (Rooney had peaked by then). If Greenwood reaches that level we’re laughing!
Exciting stuff mate. Greenwood, Martial, Rashford and possibly Sancho would just be mouth watering and honestly best attack since Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez.
 

sport2793

Full Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2012
Messages
3,161
Location
USA
Probably the most exciting talent we've seen in a long time. Ranks higher than Rashford imo - I was at that Arsenal game at OT where we won 3-2 and Rashford got 2 (think it was his 3rd game or something) and I was impressed by him, but watching Greenwood...there's something different. Something more.

His shot is so fecking lethal, add the mix that he's strong with both feet and he's a defender's nightmare. I'm always confident he'll get a great shot off, something I'm less sure of with Rashford.

Need to hold on to him, let him mature and nurture him. Future United legend easy if things go well for him.
Yep, didn't think I would say that a player other than Rashford would be the best talent to come out of the academy since the class of 92 in such a short space of time. Greenwood is a once in a generation talent and am glad that he's being nurtured so well. Not to take away anything from Rashford whom I believe is a top quality player, it just says more about how good Greenwood is.
 

sport2793

Full Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2012
Messages
3,161
Location
USA
I don't think I have seen someone of his age with that power and accuracy in his finishing. Long way to go though. Rooney was winning games on his own and had all of Englands hopes resting on him in major tournaments at that age. Greenwood has exciting potential and clear WC attributes but Rooney was already fairly complete by the age of 18 which is barmy.
To be fair, I don't feel that England had nearly the level of relative attacking talent back then compared to now. Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling are all highly rated. Dele Alli too if considered as a support striker, which is really his best position.
 

TheNewEra

Knows Kroos' mentality
Joined
Jan 20, 2014
Messages
8,133
Same. Never thought he’d have 726 goals. SAf didn’t know it. No one did. He just turned into a goat level player so fast but obviously it was years in a making hence the weirdness off it. But I definitely didn’t expect what he is. I mean do you know a single person that did? Best winger in the world at some point? Sure! But best player of all time. Highest goal scorer of all time? (He’ll get pat 805 goals) Absolutely did not see that coming and if anyone did they should be working as fecking scout right now.
Best player of all time is still debatable, but he is in the bracket of 'GOAT' players with Maradona, Messi, Pele.
 

Falcow

New Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2019
Messages
1,338
Location
Dublin
Unbelievable footballer, so natural and so refreshing to see such a level headed young guy. No daft celebrations etc, being good at football seems to be his only concern.

His mentality, attitude and decision making are so encouraging.

Then there is his talent, his coordination is incredible, that second goal, the ball seemed to bobble up a little before he hit it but he still caught it on the sweet spot...amazing.

I'd say I haven't been this excited about a player since Beckham and Scholes were coming through. Biggest compliment I can pay him is that there is no other player in world football right now that I would swap him for.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nimic