Greenwood must maintain new benchmark

Although the 19-year-old didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet against West Ham United, he twice saw efforts only denied by the woodwork in our 1-0 victory over the Hammers.

In the first half, he looked to have curled the ball beautifully into the bottom corner, but was denied by the outstretched fingertips of Lukasz Fabianski, who managed to get enough on it to see the ball ricochet off the post and away.

Then, in the second period, following a quick break, Greenwood powered a shot goalwards, this time beating the keeper, but again could only watch as the ball agonisingly stayed out once more by thudding against an upright.

Speaking to MUTV after the match, midfielder McTominay said: “Mason was brilliant, he was top – top, top drawer. He was so direct, he was very confident, whenever he had the ball, but yeah as I say every week: 'Mason, now that’s the benchmark'.

“That’s got to be the standard now every single game, that work-rate, that intensity and I’m seeing it every single week, to be fair, from him.

“So long may it continue.”

During his post-match press conference, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also keen to highlight the young striker’s contribution, in the absence of Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani.

“His performance was really good. He deserved a goal," said Ole.

“I have to say he has played really well lately. He linked the play well for us, he held the play up well for us.

“He kept switching it and he had our two best chances. Great save by Fabianski, down to his right, and unfortunately he hit the post on the second one and he kept creating chances for others as well. I am very pleased with Mason at the moment.”