Mason Greenwood got Manchester United’s Europa League campaign rolling with a late winner against Astana at Old Trafford in September, and the prodigious striker ended it in some style here on Thursday night.
Of all the United youngsters who have been given an opportunity in Europe by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season, none have seized it quite like Greenwood.
That decisive goal against the champions of Kazakhstan was followed by the opener when United beat Partizan Belgrade here in November and now this.
Mason Greenwood’s impressive full debut season with Manchester United continued on Thursday night against AZ Alkmaar
Greenwood scored two goals on the night – including this for his second – as United thumped AZ Alkmaar 4-0
Greenwood slides on his knees in celebration after scoring his second goal of the night to make it 4-0 to the hosts
The 18 – year-old was quickly congratulated by his team-mates after his brilliant goal in front of the Stretford End
MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS
Manchester United (4-2-3) -1):Romero 6; Young 6.5 (Laird 77, 6.5), Tuanzebe 7, Maguire 6.5 (Jones 77, 6), Williams 7; Garner 6.5, Matic 6.5; Greenwood 8, Mata 7, Pereira 7; Martial 6 (Chong 728, 6). Subs: Grant, Rashford, Fred, McTominay.
Goals:Young (**********************************, Greenwood and 68; Mata (pen) 64
******* (Booked:Laird
Manager:Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 7.5
AZ Alkmaar (4-3-3):Bizot 5; Svensson 5.5, Clasie 5, Wuytens 6, Wijndal 6; Midtsjo 5.5, Stengs 6.5, Koopmeiners 6; Sugawara 6.5 (Vlaar 77, 6), De Wit 6 (Druijf (******************************, 6), Idrissi 7 (Ouwejan************, 6). Subs: De Boer, Aboukhal, Reijnders, Kramer.
Booked:Clasie, Midtsjo, Koopmeiners
Manager:Ass Slot 5
****** (Referee:Sandro Scharer (Switzerland) 6
Attendance:****************************
Greenwood scored twice and won a penalty as United produced a remarkable burst of four goals in 11 minutes to beat AZ Alkmaar, having spent more than 58 minutes looking rather underwhelmed by the occasion.
That was understandable given that both teams had qualified for the knockout stage before kick-off, and were merely contesting first place in Group L that has been anything but a group of hell for United.
Even so, they will be happy to have advanced to the knockout stage as one of the seeded teams in Monday’s draw, thus avoiding the threat of Champions League dropouts Ajax, Inter Milan, Red Bull Salzburg and Benfica.
Greenwood will be a handful for any opponent judging by this performance. He was already United’s standout player, creating chances for Juan Mata and Anthony Martial in the first half, before leading the goal rush.
‘He’s different class as a finisher,’ said Solskjaer. ‘In and around the box you expect him to get a shot off and on target. He’s so precise with his finishing – right foot, left foot, it does not matter.
‘The closer he gets to goal, the more dangerous he is. It’s a nightmare for defenders. Tomorrow he will probably go into training and score a few more.
‘He needs to develop his heading, then he can be a proper striker. I’ve seen a few good ones and played with Wazza (Wayne Rooney), his natural finishing he’s one of the best I’ve seen. ‘
United edged what has to be said was a rather uneventful first half befitting a match of limited importance that was played in front of plenty of empty red seats at Old Trafford.
But they were reminded of Alkmaar’s threat in the minutes before half-time, and the Dutch side could easily have gone ahead immediately after the break when Oussama Idrissi’s cross reached Calvin Stengs in front of goal but his snatched effort was straight at Sergio Romero.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer acknowledges the crowd prior to kick-off against AZ Alkmaar
Former Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie (right) was deployed at center back for AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night
Nemanja Matic (center) was making his first appearance for the Red Devils since October due to injury
Red D evils center back Axel Tuanzebe (right) puts pressure on Oussama Idrissi as the visitors try to start an attack
That proved to be a turning point as an even contest suddenly swung dramatically in United’s favor.
It started in the 53 rd minute when Andreas Pereira wriggled free of Jonas Svensson at the corner flag. The Brazilian combined with Nemanja Matic and Mata for the latter to cross to the far post where Ashley Young hammered the ball into the roof of the net from a difficult angle.
Alkmaar were upset over United’s second goal and with good reason. Fredrik Midtsjo attempted to run the ball out from the back and was stopped by what appeared to be a foul by James Garner.
(Swiss) referee Sandro Scharer did not see it that way. Alkmaar hesitated, expecting a free-kick, but Greenwood did. He took one touch and steered a left foot shot beyond Marco Bizot from 20 yards.
It took until the 59 rd minute for the deadlock to be broken – and that came via United captain Ashley Young
The 50 – year-old was congratulated by his team-mates after firing home from close range following a cross by Juan Mata
Just five minutes later, United doubled their lead when Greenwood grabbed his first of the night at Old Trafford
It was a fabulous and instinctive strike from the England Under – (international that was just outside the penalty area
Greenwood was the architect of United’s third as well when his bursting run into the box brought a clumsy challenge from 5ft 7in Jordi Clasie, a peculiar choice at center back given that 6ft 2in Ron Vlaar remained on the bench for nearly 90 minutes.
Mata converted from the penalty spot then supplied the pass for Greenwood to cut in from the right and beat Bizot at his near post with an excellent shot.
‘There weren’t any cups flying at half-time but first place was vital for us, ‘said Solskjaer. ‘Some of these boys will remember how different it is at this level.’
Greenwood was at the heart of everything good for Solskjaer’s side in the second half and soon earned them a penalty
Juan Mata duly stepped up and converted the spot kick into the right-hand side of the net to make it 3-0 on 64 minutes
The 50 year-old celebrated his strike with Greenwood as the pair rejoice in front of Old Trafford’s Stretford End
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