Greenwood can be proud of full senior debut
Manchester United youngster Mason Greenwood was the bright spot in the season-ending 2-0 home defeat to Cardiff City.
The 17-year-old became the club's youngest starter in the Premier League era when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed him his full debut against the Bluebirds.
It was only the second time he began any game at Old Trafford, the other was with the Under-23s, against West Brom last month, and yet he took to the big stage instantly, even if he will feel he should have scored his maiden goal at senior level.
Starting wide in a fluid attacking front three with fellow homegrown products Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, the England Under-18 international was unable to convert two early aerial chances and later had a deflected shot tipped onto a post by Neil Etheridge. He also hit the side-netting with his left foot from a Rashford pass.
Before the match was out, Greenwood took his tally to seven shots, four of which were on target, and was inches away from converting a late chance in the middle after darting into the danger zone.
He made 21 sprints, more than anybody else, although it was only one in front of Rashford's total.
"He settled in very early and was just a bit unfortunate that he didn’t get his goal, because his performance deserved it."
Team-mate Lingard added to MUTV: "He was brilliant. He enjoyed the occasion and gave us that energy. He was getting on the ball and was getting shots off - that’s the confidence of the kid. He wasn’t scared of the occasion, he wasn’t scared of playing in front of 75,000 people.
"He took it on himself to take the game to them and he was brilliant. Obviously, he has people around him to help and that’s our job. Manchester United has always brought youth through and have always had those experienced players as well. If we can combine that next season, I’m sure we’ll do well.
"He’s quite laid back, but when you get to know him he comes out of his shell a bit more. When he got on the ball in the first few minutes, his confidence was up. There’s plenty more to come from Mason and the other young players here."