Mason Greenwood is currently enjoying an amazing breakout season in the Premier League so far with Manchester United.Despite being tipped for a very bright future, there is a case to be made about talking about him for the present.Some of the stats he has made up in his short time in senior football are crazy, and some of them you might not be aware of.Given that fact, it got us to thinking... what may you know not about Manchester United's generational talent?Well sit back and take a read of these facts about the English youngster, and see how many you knew.
1. Equally strong with both feet
This is one you may already be aware of, however, did you know that he doesn’t use the same foot for free-kicks and penalties?
Greenwood typically takes free-kicks with his left foot and penalties with his right, but of course, with his strong abilities with both feet he can switch this up.
2. He broke a 100m sprint record
“I think he turned up at a Great Britain under-13 100m sprint race and broke the Great Britain record. All the athletics people were after him at one point. Athletically he’s unbelievable.” – Mark Senior, former Manchester United academy coach.
3. Youngest ever Man Utd player to score in a European competition
Greenwood was only 17 years and 353 days old when he netted against Kazakhstani side Astana in the Europa League.
4. Youngest player to represent Man Utd in the Champions League
Greenwood became the youngest player to play for United in the Champions League when he made an 87th-minute substitute appearance against PSG in the second leg of the last of 16 tie.
5. Joined Man Utd at just six years old
Greenwood signed for United at age six, where he would play for United’s development school in Halifax.
6. Joined United’s U18s side despite being eligible to play at U16 level
Greenwood made an immediate impact on his step up to playing at Under-18 level, scoring 17 goals in 21 games, which also made him top scorer for the league.
7. First senior goal came against big rival
A first goal is always memorable when it comes against one of your club’s biggest rivals and that is the case for Greenwood, as he scored his first goal against Leeds United in a pre-season friendly.
8. Not the only athletically gifted member of his family
Mason’s sister Ashton is also an athlete, she competes in both 200m and 400m races. Ashton won a silver medal at the England Indoor Championships for the 400m, as well as winning silver at the Northern Outdoor Championships.
9. Joint most goals for a teenager for Man Utd in one season
Greenwood currently sits on 17 goals in all competitions for United this season, level with Wayne Rooney.
10. Better breakthrough season than Cristiano Ronaldo
Greenwood is in very good company with the records he is setting this season, having already scored more goals than Ronaldo did for United in his first season, also doing so in less games.
11. Playing for local side Idle Juniors, aged six, they won a game 16-1 and he scored all 16 goals
To be able to score a hat-trick in a game at six years old is an impressive feat, but to score 16 in one game is just mental.
Greenwood is clearly destined to be one of the best not just in England, but in world football.