How does Greenwood compare with Owen and Rooney as teens?

Foxbatt

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Rooney was unfortunate enough to be in an era of Messi and Ronaldo.
Greenwood is no where near him even at that age. Rooney at 16 was a star already. Greenwood at this moment in time is a good scorer.
Maybe it's better to compare Greenwood to Owen.
 

KirkDuyt

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Owen is a bit long ago, I mostly remember him from the 98 world cup. Rooney was crazy as a kid. I'd say Greenwood is a bit below that, but Rooney was insanely good at a very young age.

Though when Rooneywas 16 there was way less coverage of the premier leugue here, so I mostly saw the spectacular matches from Rooney, while now I can watch Greenwood getting his nails done on Monday morning with live coverage from 12 different channels.
 
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Rooney and Owen were banging in goals at major International tournements for England and in the Champions League with their clubs.

Pogba was correct about Greenwood, he said 'the best way we can protect him is remind him he's done nothing yet'
 

Revan

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I agree. I think that with Greenwood his finishing is already at a Top/World Class level but his all round game needs a lot of improvement to keep up with that attribute but he clearly has the talent to do so.

People use hyperbole a lot when youngsters come onto the scene and one of the regular lines that is said is “he’s 18 but playing like a 25 year old” etc. You could say that about Rooney but it was actually true. He was already the finished article at 18 in terms of his all round play.
No way. His passing and crossing was quite erratic until 2007, and then only good till 2010 or so, when he became our primary playmaker. He had the explosiveness, the speed/acceleration and the physicality at 18 same as at 25, but his all-round game was nowhere as good as it became later.
 

Pow

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How old was rooney in euro 2004 ? Cause he was an absolute monster then. If he didnt get injured imo he would have taken england far.
 

WR10

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Imagine if you were given the godly license to create a player that has certain PERFECT attributes that behaves like a cheat code on the field. That would be Greenwood. Now imagine you were just hopping along and a natural diamond in the rough pops up with certain strong attributes but definitely not perfect - Owen and Rooney.

People don’t yet realize how good Greenwood is. I’m unfortunately old enough to have seen all 3 grow up from kids.
 

MikeKing

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Rooney and Owen were banging in goals at major International tournements for England and in the Champions League with their clubs.

Pogba was correct about Greenwood, he said 'the best way we can protect him is remind him he's done nothing yet'
Like he don't already know that? Best way to protect him would be to actually protect him. You know from bad influences, unnecessary pressure etc and just let the kid be himself. Kid has a natural ability and loves football. Nothing sudden about his hype, no reason to suspect he has any fragilities in terms of motivation. No need to remind him of anything of sorts, unless it's just to let him know 'slow down I'm older and better than you, in which case that is just unnecessary. I'd say let the boy be.
 

SilentWitness

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No way. His passing and crossing was quite erratic until 2007, and then only good till 2010 or so, when he became our primary playmaker. He had the explosiveness, the speed/acceleration and the physicality at 18 same as at 25, but his all-round game was nowhere as good as it became later.
Compared to other 18 year olds that have came to prominence in world football, yes way. Those other attributes just needed some fine tuning but they were of a very good level already at 18.
 

Rood

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Greenwood is a better finisher than Owen. He scores goals Owen could only dream of.
Well being best finisher is not about goal of the month contenders - its about ratios of shots to goals etc

to be fair to Greenwood hes playing wide whereas I dont remember Owen playing anything other than striker so the chances they are getting are very different - Owen won the Golden Boot in his first season but he did play more than Greenwood has
 

SirScholes

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Both Rooney and Owen were better than greenwood at his current age, however Rooney peaked and plateaued mid/late 20s and Owen peaked then nose dived earlier again.

Greenwood has an amazing opportunity to have a wonderful career better than them both if he surrounds himself with the right people and remains professional.
 

lex talionis

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Imagine if you were given the godly license to create a player that has certain PERFECT attributes that behaves like a cheat code on the field. That would be Greenwood. Now imagine you were just hopping along and a natural diamond in the rough pops up with certain strong attributes but definitely not perfect - Owen and Rooney.

People don’t yet realize how good Greenwood is. I’m unfortunately old enough to have seen all 3 grow up from kids.
Agree with this. I'm old enough to have seen all three grow up, as well as Ronaldo.

Posters forget how streaky Rooney was. He'd go on a savage 6-8 game run and then go cold for 6-8 games, for years. I wouldn't say he was injury prone, but you also wouldn't say that he was a model fitness either. But at his highest peak, Rooney is in the same conversation as Ronaldo (both of them), Messi and Van Nistelrooy. Problem, he hit too many valleys whereas Ronaldo (II, not I) and Messi and even Van Nistelrooy were consistently productive, for years. And where exactly was Wayne when we needed him most of the CL finals in 08, 09 and 11? Barely carved a memory in all three of those matches. But my god he was fantastic when he was on his game. I have enormous respect for Owen, though it could be said that he relied more on pace than all-around ability. It's a shame he spent his best years with Liverpool.

As for Greenwood, we're only seeing the beginning, but he looks like a top professional already and he's still only 18. We need to keep our feet on the ground so let's just see how he develops, but having watched Ronaldo at the same age, Greenwood is clearly the better player today than Ronaldo was at 18. But will Greenwood dedicate himself the way Ronaldo did? That remains to be seen, but we can do our part by appreciating what an extraordinary talent he is and praying to the gods than the British media, and agents, women of dubious intent, and we don't do in the boy.
 

WR10

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Agree with this. I'm old enough to have seen all three grow up, as well as Ronaldo.

Posters forget how streaky Rooney was. He'd go on a savage 6-8 game run and then go cold for 6-8 games, for years. I wouldn't say he was injury prone, but you also wouldn't say that he was a model fitness either. But at his highest peak, Rooney is in the same conversation as Ronaldo (both of them), Messi and Van Nistelrooy. Problem, he hit too many valleys whereas Ronaldo (II, not I) and Messi and even Van Nistelrooy were consistently productive, for years. And where exactly was Wayne when we needed him most of the CL finals in 08, 09 and 11? Barely carved a memory in all three of those matches. But my god he was fantastic when he was on his game. I have enormous respect for Owen, though it could be said that he relied more on pace than all-around ability. It's a shame he spent his best years with Liverpool.

As for Greenwood, we're only seeing the beginning, but he looks like a top professional already and he's still only 18. We need to keep our feet on the ground so let's just see how he develops, but having watched Ronaldo at the same age, Greenwood is clearly the better player today than Ronaldo was at 18. But will Greenwood dedicate himself the way Ronaldo did? That remains to be seen, but we can do our part by appreciating what an extraordinary talent he is and praying to the gods than the British media, and agents, women of dubious intent, and we don't do in the boy.
Spot on. Greenwood is by far the most naturally blessed footballer out of the lot. What remains to be seen is if his mentality can match the talent. If it does....
 

Josep Dowling

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For his age I think he’s one of the best finishers I’ve seen. Rooney was a man at 16. He had power and pace. Greenwood still looks like a boy and once he bulks out I think he will be quality.

At 18 he’s got an eye for goal, can shoot with both feet and has a good first touch. I think he will become a deadly CF.
 

UNITED ACADEMY

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I wasn't old enough to watch Owen in his teenager days but in the early 2000, Aguero always reminds me of him.

Rooney was freak back then, such a madness & very enjoyable to watch. He was comparable in potential to Ronaldo & Messi when the three of them were teenagers.

It's tough to compare them, I'll put Rooney above Greenwood at the moment as teens. However, end of result when they are on their prime could be different.
 

Moston Red

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Very hard to compare. Three totally different players. In my opinion Owen was mismanaged - he was over played. However, I always thought Fowler was more of a goal scoring threat and I was definitely more nervous when he was playing. Rooney showed more potential but that because he was a brute at an early age and that was detriment to his early decline...he peaked too early. lets see how greenwood progresses buts the signs are good. Hopefully he'll be surrounded by players that allow him to develop!
 

RooneyLegend

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Well being best finisher is not about goal of the month contenders - its about ratios of shots to goals etc

to be fair to Greenwood hes playing wide whereas I dont remember Owen playing anything other than striker so the chances they are getting are very different - Owen won the Golden Boot in his first season but he did play more than Greenwood has
It's a mixture of both. Owen for example wasn't a better finisher than Fowler because Fowler could score every type of goal on either foot. You can't talk about ratios and debate against Greenwood, the kid scored 10 league goals in 1300 minutes averaging 1.3 shots a game. That's the very definition of efficiency in front of goal, probably best in Europe in that sense.
Owen scored one of England’s greatest ever World Cup goals, steady on
Due to his pace and skill, it wasn't exactly a difficult finish. Calm down, didn't say he was a better player, but he's certainly a better finisher. Makes half chances look like 1v1's.
 

RooneyLegend

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No way. His passing and crossing was quite erratic until 2007, and then only good till 2010 or so, when he became our primary playmaker. He had the explosiveness, the speed/acceleration and the physicality at 18 same as at 25, but his all-round game was nowhere as good as it became later.
Disagree with this. The only thing erratic was his finishing at a younger age. Rooney would miss chances he had no business missing. His passing and crossing were always brilliant. More so in those days cause he'd be all over the place. His all round game actually declined over time.
 

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Owen at 18 was better than Rooney or Mason. He was unreal.

Injuries ruined what could've been England's best ever striker.
 

Snuffkin

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Pogba was correct about Greenwood, he said 'the best way we can protect him is remind him he's done nothing yet'
Neither has Pog.
Greenwood is very much like Owen, he doesn't pontificate, he just does everything quickly. Gets the ball out from under his feet and bang. Also clinical, doesn't overthink, he doesn't have time.
 

Icemav

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What gives me the most hope for Greenwood is that unlike Owen and Rooney, he doesn't yet have the outstanding physical qualities they both had as teenagers and he's still looking pretty special, when he catches up to adult physicality then I think we'll see him in a league of his own.
beautifully put.

Everything right now is based upon his footballing skills and talent and that is a big plus imo. Physically he has a looong way to go. Too many teen stars are early maturer who don't kick on. And long term nobody cares that you were faster and stronger than your peers as a teenager.

Personally very happy to have a case of "slow and steady wins the race".
 

Icemav

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Owen at 18 was better than Rooney or Mason. He was unreal.

Injuries ruined what could've been England's best ever striker.
Agree that there is a under appreciation of Owen. Yes he was fast but his talent and performances as a teenager were incredible. Many felt he was going to be an ATG regardless of nationality.
 

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Best teenage players I've ever witnessed:

1. L.Ronaldo - During his teenage years, he scored 44 goals on 47 games in Brazil, and 54 goals in 57 games in PSV. Of course then he went to Barca and score 47 goals in 49 games when he just turned 20, with many amazing solo performances. He was simply unplayable and few notches above everyone else during that period, and his pace, dribbling, skills, and finishing is second to none during that period, but it was probably his career peak too. Best teenage footballer ever, period.

2. Rooney - Looks absolutely a beast during his teenage years, he was already a regular for Everton at age 16-17. Scored 17 goals in 43 games for us when he is still 19, despite the fact that he likes to drop back and goes all over the pitch, and his game is much more than just scoring goals. Everyone can easily tell he is going to dominate football world back then, his all round game is probably the best I've ever seen from teenager. Well he didn't quite manage to dominate the world afterwards though, in fact far from it, but he still have a very good and successful career with us.

3. Mbappe - Scored 26 goals in 48 games at age 18, impress in CL with 6 goals in 9 games. Become world most expensive teenager at 180m. He then went on scored 21 goals in 44 games at age 19 for PSG, and impress the world and won the WC at age 19, with 4 goals too. He is now 21, and over past 3 season he scored 90 goals in 121 games for PSG. If he keeps on he could even challenge Ronaldo/Messi record in future.

4. Owen - 23 goals in 44 games at age 18, impress the world in WC with 4 goals and amazing performances. 23 goals in 40 goals at age 19, and then won Ballon D'or when he was 21. He was teenage sensational back then. From age 18 to 23, he average scored around 23-28 goals per season. Probably the most consistent top scorer at that age group too.

5. Giggs - First broke into scene when he was 17, already the best dribbling winger in the league, scoring 7 goals in his first season when he was turing 18 as a wing wizard. At age 19, scored 11 goals in 46 games, and at age 20, he scored 17 goals in 58 games, his career best. And he definitely has far more assists than goals of course (well he is premier league all time best with 162 assists). He was a winger in midfield, full of pace, skills and trickery, and like to cross and assist too. He was probably the best and most skillful winger/dribbler in the world during that period. Let's just say, if we can use the word "wonderkid" on one player only, for me at least, that would be Giggs.

6. Messi - Scored 8 goals at age 18 as a talented but bit part player at Barca, and then scored 17 goals in 36 games at age 19, including that wonder goal vs Getafe. He would definitely go higher in the list if he had played more games during his teenage years (overall he scored 25 goals in 60 games as teenager), but to be fair, back then as an unknown teenager, he has Ronaldinho, Henry and Eto'o ahead of him. He is still one of the most talented teenager ever. Won his first Ballon D'or at age 22, and won 4 Ballon D'or by the time when he reached 25, went on become GOAT.

7. Ronaldo - He was truly electrifying back then when he joined us at age 18, as a winger in 442 midfield. Full of pace, trickery and skills, no one could stop him in the league, and he was probably one of the most talented teenager I've ever seen. Impress in the Euro at age 19, helping Portugal to reach the Final with 2 goals and 2 assists. I wouldn't rate him as high as others above the list as a teenager though, as he lacks abit of end products and was too much of a show pony back then too. It was when he was 21-22, he become truly amazing word class players for us, scoring a lot of goals, making alot of assists, entertaining everyone with his truly amazing performances. Of course, he then went on to win his first Ballon D'or at age 22-23, and later broke every record out there and become GOAT.

8. Sancho - As wing forward, he has 13 goals and 15 assists at age 18-19 at Dortmund. Then this season at age 19-20, he has 20 goals and 18 assists, second only to Messi. He also has amazing skills, he is very good at dribbling and playing a support role too, apart from goalscoring. I mean, for past 2 years as a teenager, performance-wise and stat-wise, he has been excellent. I can't think of any other teenager better than him in terms of goals+assists. At the same time, I can't name more than a few teenagers who is more talented than him.

9. Haaland - Just turned 20 last month. At age 19, he is probably the most impressive teenage goalscorer I've ever seen for a long time. First when I head of him, he once scored 9 goals in a U-20 game for Norway when he was still 18, no big deal, but still make the headline with such record. At age 19, he scored 28 goals in 22 games in just half season in Austrian league, well its very poor league though, but he scored 8 goals in 6 games in CL, now that is very impressive. He then moved to Dortmund for 2nd half of season, scoring 16 goals in 18 games for them, that is again, amazing. So at age 19, he scored 44 goals in 40 games, including 10 goals in 8 CL games. No matter how you look at it, its amazing stats for a teenager. But he is also probably the least talented teenager among this list.

10. Greenwood - He is only 18, but he has already scored 17 goals in 47 games in his first full season. What impress me more is that, he scored 15 goals in league and Europa in 1773 minutes, thats equivalent to around 15 goals in 20 full games. At age 18, he is probably among top 3 best 18 years old in this list? We don't know yet how will he perform next season at age 19, all the above players are a beast when they are turning 19. Maybe his chances will be limited by signing of Sancho? or maybe he will develop in a faster pace then we could imagine?
 
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meamth

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Neither has Pog.
Greenwood is very much like Owen, he doesn't pontificate, he just does everything quickly. Gets the ball out from under his feet and bang. Also clinical, doesn't overthink, he doesn't have time.
Pissing on Pogba's achievement is stupid.

Go and check his wiki or Transfermakt and see what he has achieved, even with us.

Pogba haters is real. Hope you stay in newbie for long mate.
 

MrEarl

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The United management doesn't seem to share the same high opinion of Greenwood expressed here. It's not what they say. It's what they are doing which is to make in addition to the team that will likely put Greenwood on the bench. After all, United's front three are generally conceded to be the strongest part of a team that has actual weaknesses in defense and getting someone who can fill in for Bruno in the event of a long-term injury. If he goes down, the team will revert to the limited counterattack which is all they had for he came.

It's either a low opinion of Greenwood or simply being enthralled by the possibility of adding another big name like Sanchez or Pogba.
 
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kouroux

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Rooney was unfortunate enough to be in an era of Messi and Ronaldo.
Greenwood is no where near him even at that age. Rooney at 16 was a star already. Greenwood at this moment in time is a good scorer.
Maybe it's better to compare Greenwood to Owen.
And Rooney looked and played like a grown man already at 16
 

Terminator

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The United management doesn't seem to share the same high opinion of Greenwood expressed here. It's not what they say. It's what they are doing which is to make in addition to the team that will likely put Greenwood on the bench. After all, United's front three are generally conceded to be the strongest part of a team that has actual weaknesses in defense and getting someone who can fill in for Bruno in the event of a long-term injury. If he goes down, the team will revert to the limited counterattack which is all they had for he came.

It's either a low opinion of Greenwood or simply being enthralled by the possibility of adding another big name like Suarez or Pogba.
Greenwood's 18. He will still play plenty and develop at the right pace without burning him out. Not rocket science really.
 

He'sRaldo

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Greenwood's 18. He will still play plenty and develop at the right pace without burning him out. Not rocket science really.
It's a good point though. The other teenagers were so good you couldn't justifiably leave them out, Mbappe included from this generation. If Greenwood is at that level, then Sancho would be coming to sit on the bench, and that's not going to happen.

With that said, of course in the future Greenwood could possibly surpass all those names. But for right now, he hasn't shown the same level they did, and most likely the thing they all have in common that he doesn't is elite physicality even among grown men. Who knows whether Greenwood will develop that or not.
 

Number32

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I like how Greenwood is smart and wise enough not to burn out his muscles in his teenage years.
Owen and Rooney explosiveness in their teenager years had made a huge impact for their bodies.

Greenwood's top speed record is faster than Rashford or even Mbappe, but he knew that he didn't have to run a lot in every game like Rashford and Mbappe did.
He knows what he learnt what he capable of like a veteran.
 

fck

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Greenwood's top speed record is faster than Rashford or even Mbappe, but he knew that he didn't have to run a lot in every game like Rashford and Mbappe did.
He knows what he learnt what he capable of like a veteran.
I think you have to adjust your expectations regarding Greenwoods speed a bit. He's not as fast as Rashford let alone Mbappe and never will be. Top speed lists a fun and all but you shouldn't take them too seriously.

I like how Greenwood is smart and wise enough not to burn out his muscles in his teenage years.
Owen and Rooney explosiveness in their teenager years had made a huge impact for their bodies.
Did Greenwood say that he's saving his muscles for the future?
 

SirScholes

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It's a mixture of both. Owen for example wasn't a better finisher than Fowler because Fowler could score every type of goal on either foot. You can't talk about ratios and debate against Greenwood, the kid scored 10 league goals in 1300 minutes averaging 1.3 shots a game. That's the very definition of efficiency in front of goal, probably best in Europe in that sense.

Due to his pace and skill, it wasn't exactly a difficult finish. Calm down, didn't say he was a better player, but he's certainly a better finisher. Makes half chances look like 1v1's.
I didn’t say you did, you said Owen dreams of scoring the goals that Greenwood scores.
I’d argue greenwood dreams (in fact most players) dream of scoring that goal against Argentina.
 

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Not getting involved with the argument here, but something needs pointing out.

Greenwood is a great finisher, as acknowledged, but he is getting very little credit here, for the maturity of his general game.
He controls, protects and releases the ball like a seasoned Pro.
So often, you see prospects shine for an outstanding trait, but the rest of their game, you hope will come along with experience.
Mason is already a very competent footballer, to go with his expertise.

If anything, he falls between having Rooney's build-up, and Owen's goal-scoring. On top of that, he does it ice-cold.
Sounds like I'm making the case for Mason, I know, but it is too early for all that.

Suffice to say, the best teenager I've seen in my life is L. Ronaldo. No question.
 

lysglimt

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Personally I always rated Fowler ahead of Owen, but after he got that cruciate injury before he turned 23, he was never the same again.
 

In Rainbows

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Personally I always rated Fowler ahead of Owen, but after he got that cruciate injury before he turned 23, he was never the same again.
I think people are rating Owen more based on the fact that a larger share of his goals were in the PL and thus was featured in those "most PL goals for an 18 year old" stat that has been brought up so much.

Going by the minutes, its likely Greenwood would have surpassed Owen's goal scoring numbers if he was given the same amount of minutes. I would imagine Fowler is a lot more similar to Greenwood in their efficiency to score.
 

EwanI Ted

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Personally I always rated Fowler ahead of Owen, but after he got that cruciate injury before he turned 23, he was never the same again.
After he scored 4 times against us in the 95/96 season - the two at Old Trafford were both remarkable goals - I thought he might go on to be a world class striker, but you're right, injuries did for him.
 

The holy trinity 68

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The United management doesn't seem to share the same high opinion of Greenwood expressed here. It's not what they say. It's what they are doing which is to make in addition to the team that will likely put Greenwood on the bench. After all, United's front three are generally conceded to be the strongest part of a team that has actual weaknesses in defense and getting someone who can fill in for Bruno in the event of a long-term injury. If he goes down, the team will revert to the limited counterattack which is all they had for he came.

It's either a low opinion of Greenwood or simply being enthralled by the possibility of adding another big name like Sanchez or Pogba.
Not this crap again. Signing Sancho will take some pressure off Greenwood who is still very young and will also put pressure on Martial and Rashford to perform. Having Sancho come in, if Greenwood is performing well and one of Martial or Rashford are in poor form then they will be on the bench.

Sancho allows any of the current front 3 to be the one on the bench not just Greenwood.
 

Dash247

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Didn't see much of Owen during his early days, but Rooney was a monster.

Owen has an amazing record to show for.

Rooney just had that energy, aggression, strength, speed that can not be matched by anyone. He was one of very very top players in the world. He was just a complete player.

Greenwood is awesome, but he needs to have another great season and hopefully he gets selected in England squad and perform there too.