On The Ball | The sky is the limit for Mason Greenwood as he silences Jadon Sancho chatter

Aston Villa had done what they could to warm up their heroes on a cold, damp Midlands evening. “Two Tribes” belted out through the PA, along with some screeching sounds only recognisable to foxes and Villa fans. There were claret and blue flags with lions and words like “pride” on the George Cross of England, that favoured flag in Birmingham. This Witton Wisdom was a decent shot at sabre rattling, but Villa don’t have Mason Greenwood. If Dean Smith’s side did have the 18-year-old, they’d have a better chance of staying up. Without a win in 11, they’re going straight back down.

The 18-year-old Manchester United striker Greenwood ruined their hopes with the 16th goal of his debut season. Of United’s gloriously venerated former forwards, only George Best, Wayne Rooney and Brian Kidd have scored more goals in a season as teenagers at Old Trafford.

Forty nine minutes after the game started and after a needless drinks break and time added on, Greenwood hammered a shot past Pepe Reina for United’s second goal in a 3-0 win. He’d earlier started a move which led to a Bruno Fernandes penalty and United’s first.

United’s counter attack is devastating and Greenwood is its most potent threat. Before the game, this rising son of football pulled the golden sleeves of United’s shirt over his hands to protect him from the chill of an English summer, but when the game started he was its golden boy.

Playing on the right, he doesn’t dominate the play, he doesn’t need to. But he looks dangerous every single time he gets the ball as he cuts in, moves the ball from left to right and makes decisions which belie his youth, as does his technique when he strikes the ball accurately. Greenwood drives forward, runs at players and shoots with a minimal Messi-like backlift. Defenders let him turn or even half-turn at their peril. He can go past defenders on their left or right in the best league in the world. He gets shots on target with both feet. So many players show youthful talent, so few can do it in the first team at a giant club like United.

Greenwood still looks the callow youth because he is, but he’s physically stronger post-lockdown and, playing aggressively to the right of Anthony Martial and linking superbly with the Frenchman. He links well with Bruno Fernandes – the man who has turned United into a winning side with 24 points from his 10 league games since he signed – as Solskjaer’s side play in neat triangles, even when they counter. If they blend this well after four months together, what are they going to be like after four years? With United’s other young attackers, this has the potential to be as exciting as young Rooney and Ronaldo, but one must not get carried away. It is early days and Manchester United are fifth in the league.