MASON GREENWOOD gave Manchester United fans another glimpse of his undoubted talent with an incredible second-half performance at Old Trafford.
After a dreary first period Greenwood brought the famous ground to life with two goals as well as winning a penalty.
Mason Greenwood celebrates his double in Man Utd’s second-half purple patchCredit: Getty – Contributor
Mason Greenwood rounds off the rout with a rasping left-foot finishCredit: Reuters
Ashley Young celebrates his 53rd minute breakthrough for Man UtdCredit: AFP or licensors
Having been outplayed in the first period by their Dutch opponents United tore them to pieces in the second with four goals in 11 minutes.
Greenwood, 18, was the star performer.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is the best finisher in the club and such lofty praise sits easily on the youngster’s shoulders.
He looks like a player who knows how good he is.
Solskjaer wants to protect him and limit his match time at the moment, but his performances are demanding more.
This win secured top spot for United in Group L of the Europa League and they are now favourites to repeat their success of three seasons ago and win the whole thing.
THRILLING TO WATCH
The form they are in right now it is most definitely worth a flutter.
Manchester United are thrilling to watch once more.
Although not in the first-half last night as AZ Alkmaar did what Dutch teams do and passed, and passed and passed.
But they didn’t test David De Gea and whatever Solskjaer said at half-time had the desired effect.
When you consider that AZ are the second best team in Holland right now and came with a record of 17 clean sheets from their first 25 games in all competitions this was some result.
There is something clinical about United’s play at the moment.
They may have had only 30 per cent of the possession in the derby on Saturday but every time they had the ball going forward they looked a threat to Manchester City on their way to a 2-1 win.
Brazilian Andreas Pereira goes close for Man Utd in the first halfCredit: AFP or licensors
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his youngsters eventually dictateCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Juan Mata tucks home Man Utd’s third goal from the penalty spot as they went from 0-0 to 4-0 up in the space of nine minutesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It was a fabulous slick passing move that lead to United’s opener in the 53 rd minute from Ashley Young.
Credit Andreas Pereira first of all who was stuck next to the corner flag when he did a clever turn and flick to rid himself of his man.
He exchanged passes with Juan Mata before the ball went back to Nemanja Matic.
He made his first telling contribution of the night with a pass into the area for Mata who was available again.
The Spaniard calmly rolled the ball across the six yard box and from a very acute angle Young blasted the ball into the roof of the net.
Five minutes later it was two as Greenwood struck.
UNSTOPPABLE
Alkmaar claimed there was a foul in the build up as James Garner jumped in on Fredrik Midstjo but the referee thought otherwise.
The ball broke to Greenwood who did not need a second invitation as he shot straight away from outside the area into the bottom corner.
Greenwood was in the zone. He was unstoppable, unless you brought him down of course.
In the 62nd minute that’s exactly what Jordy Classie did as United were awarded penalty which Mata converted.
It is Greenwood’s incredible ability with both feet that sets him apart and affords him so many chances.
He can switch from one to the other to give himself that vital bit of space to get a shot away.
Jonas Svensson tries to thwart Man Utd midfielder Andreas PereiraCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Starlet Mason Greenwood battles with AZ Alkmaar left-back Owen WijndalCredit: Getty – Contributor
Defenders don’t know which way to turn. There is no point forcing him to one side because he can just go the other way and be equally as clinical.
He showed this again for his second goal on 64 minutes.
Mata was again at the centre of things receiving a pass from Matic and finding the young forward who moved the ball with his right on to his left to give himself space before firing into the near bottom corner.
Job well and truly done.
A third win in a row in what has been an incredible nine day spell for the club that has completely turned their season around.
Victories over Spurs, City and now AZ Alkmaar.
It needs to continue on Sunday with the visit of Everton.
Solskjaer is now finding the consistency of performance he has been looking for.
In Greenwood he knows he has something special going forward.
It is still early but maybe his much vaunted plan is really starting to come together.
Solskjaer heaps praise on Fred as resurgent form could spell end for Pogba at Man United
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
