Mason Greenwood provided a reminder of his devastating goalscoring quality on Saturday when he fired Getafe level in their La Liga clash against UD Almeria. The 22-year-old has put five Manchester United forwards to shame this season as Erik ten Hag’s attacking department continues to misfire.
Greenwood is spending the 2023/24 season on loan at Getafe after United’s reported late U-turn on his return sparked a summer deadline day departure.
And he netted his fourth goal since his return to action on Saturday, launching a first-half comeback at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
Greenwood cut inside from the left – a trademark move – before unleashing a rising rocket of a strike past Luis Maximiano from outside the box.
The former United No 11 passionately celebrated his goal with a knee slide, embracing his teammates in front of a jubilant home crowd.
On the stroke of half-time, Borja Mayoral added a second to overturn an early 1-0 deficit provided by another former Red Devils academy star, Largie Ramazani.
Greenwood impressed with his all-round performance in the first half, recording an 81 per cent pass accuracy, completing two of his three take-ons and two of his three duels.
The England international has been on fire in recent weeks, registering five goal involvements in his last four appearances.
After netting a brace against Tardienta in a 12-0 Copa del Rey first-round win at the start of the month, Greenwood assisted against Cadiz and Granada.
He scored his first goal for Getafe against Celta Vigo last month, just over a week after registering an assist against Athletic Club.
Greenwood’s tally of four goals this season eclipses that of every senior United forward, excluding Rasmus Hojlund, who has netted five Champions League goals since his £72million summer arrival.
Hojlund inherited Greenwood’s No 11 shirt and is joined by Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro (both four) and Scott McTominay (three) as the only United players to score three goals this season.
Marcus Rashford has scored just once in 16 appearances. As has Alejandro Garnacho. Anthony Martial? One in 15.
Antony and Jadon Sancho haven’t scored, nor have Facundo Pellistri or Amad Diallo. But Amad hasn’t featured due to injury, and Pellistri has at least provided an assist, unlike the former duo.
Greenwood isn’t expected to return to United next summer despite having one year left on his contract.
But he joins Anthony Elanga – who has scored three goals since joining Nottingham Forest for £15m in the summer – in putting Ten Hag’s current options to shame.
