With another loss to Manchester United’s record in the Premier League, this season has already shown itself to be a hard slog for Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
The Norwegian, who took over from José Mourinho last December, has struggled emphatically in consistently recording results, even after a transfer market that promised an improvement.
Five wins in Manchester United’s last 20 matches shows this current squad failing to find form when it matters and taking their foot off the gas after their triumph in Paris back in March. Even if Solskjær has started his clear out of first-team players that are deemed not good enough, there is still a certain toxicity to the group.
In a lifeless season so far, there has been one shining light: the youth. Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong have all appeared for the first-team this season, with James Garner waiting in the wings for his opportunity to seize.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Mason Greenwood of Man Utd in action during the UEFA Europa League group L match between Manchester United and FK Astana at Old Trafford on September 19, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Simon
Offside via Getty Images
Out of the current crop of academy players, Greenwood and Gomes are the two that most fans are looking forward to seeing on a regular basis. Greenwood, only 17, had impressed throughout the pre-season tour of Australasia and during the back end of last season. Recently called up to the England U-21’s, the centre forward is prolific in front of goal and has the innate ability to take it on either foot and shoot.
Greenwood’s rise through the academy has been there for everyone to see, which is why he has been rewarded with a new contract and a place in the first-team. Given the Red Devils’ lack of fit and available centre forwards – Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are injured – the young Englishman will now be expected to lead the line and take the pressure of finding the back of the net upon his shoulders.
A quite daunting prospect for some, Greenwood has, somehow, managed to take everything in his stride ever since breaking through. It has been non-stop for the centre forward and most probably a complete blur, but his maturity on the pitch, as well as his level, is evident.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Angel Gomes of Manchester United is challenged by Zarko Tomasevic of Asanta during the UEFA Europa League group L match between Manchester United and FK Astana at Old Trafford on September 19, 2019 in Manchester,
Getty Images
The other player ready to take his spot in the starting 11 is Gomes. The Godson of ex-Manchester United player Luis Nani, the attacking playmaker impressed when featured against FC Astana in the Europa League. While it was a frustrating match to be a part of, Gomes fluttered in between the lines and took the ball on the half turn extremely well – his low centre of gravity pays dividends when in the half spaces.
Solskjær might not have a choice as to whether to start Greenwood and Gomes now with other senior players either underperforming or out injured. What is for certain is that these two England youth internationals are ready to make the step up and show what the academy graduates can do.
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With another loss to Manchester United’s record in the Premier League, this season has already shown itself to be a hard slog for Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
The Norwegian, who took over from José Mourinho last December, has struggled emphatically in consistently recording results, even after a transfer market that promised an improvement.
Five wins in Manchester United’s last 20 matches shows this current squad failing to find form when it matters and taking their foot off the gas after their triumph in Paris back in March. Even if Solskjær has started his clear out of first-team players that are deemed not good enough, there is still a certain toxicity to the group.
In a lifeless season so far, there has been one shining light: the youth. Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong have all appeared for the first-team this season, with James Garner waiting in the wings for his opportunity to seize.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Mason Greenwood of Man Utd in action during the UEFA Europa League group L match between Manchester United and FK Astana at Old Trafford on September 19, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Simon
Offside via Getty Images
Out of the current crop of academy players, Greenwood and Gomes are the two that most fans are looking forward to seeing on a regular basis. Greenwood, only 17, had impressed throughout the pre-season tour of Australasia and during the back end of last season. Recently called up to the England U-21’s, the centre forward is prolific in front of goal and has the innate ability to take it on either foot and shoot.
Greenwood’s rise through the academy has been there for everyone to see, which is why he has been rewarded with a new contract and a place in the first-team. Given the Red Devils’ lack of fit and available centre forwards – Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are injured – the young Englishman will now be expected to lead the line and take the pressure of finding the back of the net upon his shoulders.
A quite daunting prospect for some, Greenwood has, somehow, managed to take everything in his stride ever since breaking through. It has been non-stop for the centre forward and most probably a complete blur, but his maturity on the pitch, as well as his level, is evident.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Angel Gomes of Manchester United is challenged by Zarko Tomasevic of Asanta during the UEFA Europa League group L match between Manchester United and FK Astana at Old Trafford on September 19, 2019 in Manchester,
Getty Images
The other player ready to take his spot in the starting 11 is Gomes. The Godson of ex-Manchester United player Luis Nani, the attacking playmaker impressed when featured against FC Astana in the Europa League. While it was a frustrating match to be a part of, Gomes fluttered in between the lines and took the ball on the half turn extremely well – his low centre of gravity pays dividends when in the half spaces.
Solskjær might not have a choice as to whether to start Greenwood and Gomes now with other senior players either underperforming or out injured. What is for certain is that these two England youth internationals are ready to make the step up and show what the academy graduates can do.