Manchester United goal scorers Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial were showered with praise by Match of the Day’s pundits after guiding their team to a 4-1 win over Newcastle.
Martial’s brace and a thunderbolt from Greenwood, along with Marcus Rashford’s header, helped United fight back from 1-0 down to secure a morale-boostingBoxing Day win.
And the two forwards were lauded for their impact as United bounced back from a 2-0 defeat to Watford in their previous game to look threatening in attack against Newcastle.
Ian Wright focussed on Greenwood on the BBC highlights program.
“It was a very good afternoon forManchester United’sforwards,” he said. “I watched him [Greenwood] against Everton as well and he has this surety that you can see he is going to be something special. He’s 90, second Premier League start [of the season].
Analyzing his goal, which made it 2-1 to United, Wright added: “Once he gets the ball, there is no rushing, he’s calm, bang. It’s the same as the goal he scored against Everton, he did not rush it, he did not slash at it.
“For me, as long as they make sure they nurture him right and they don’t rush him through, he’s going to be something really special. Really, really impressive. ”
Danny Murphy then praised two-goal Martial, who has overcome injury and some critics this season to star in United’s forward line.
The former Liverpool midfielder believes Martial is more potent in a central striker’s role.
“I think playing centrally suits him, “said Murphy. He doesn’t particularly want to chase full-backs all game. One criticism of him has been what he does without the ball. Today, what he did without the ball today impressed me most.
“The [first] goal probably helped, it gave him the energy, confidence.
“When he [chases back] it, it’s infectious for the rest of the forward and the rest of theManchester Unitedplayers to do. He did it time and time again. He looked sharp, he looked hungry, he looked happy.
“He starts the press, he sets the tone. More often than not, he doesn’t do it but maybe he’s had a telling off from the manager. He had tricks, skills, bits of awareness.
“When he is playing like this he makesManchester Uniteda much more threatening team. They are a much better team with him and it’s important he stays fit because they don’t have many options to replace him. ”
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings