Mason Greenwood gives Solskjaer Man United selection headache with stunning goals

Mason Greenwood will be fighting Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial for Premier League minutes after a starring role vs AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League. [Courtesy]

Mason Greenwood was first past the post last night with the goals that sent Manchester United through as group winners.

Greenwood underlined his standing as one of United's most exciting prospects with two stunning strikes, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side won Group L in style.

Victory means United go into Monday's last 32 draw with an ostensibly easier route in the knockout stage, when the competition resumes in February.

Having topped their group, United will avoid fellow group winners and the seeded sides who have dropped in to the tournament from the Champions League.

Greenwood was United's stand-out player, his second-half double taking his goal tally to six this season, while he also won a penalty, converted by Juan Mata.

The 18-year-old has had to be patient to make his mark this season, with Solskjaer rationing his appearances as he nurtures him in his first full campaign with the senior team.

But when he plays like this, fearless and deadly in front of goal, it makes it difficult for Solskjaer to keep him back, with Greenwood determined to give his boss a selection headache.

By the final whistle, United had seven academy graduates on the pitch in Greenwood, Andreas Pereira, Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe, James Garner, Tahith Chong and Ethan Laird.

Solskjaer has placed his faith in youth and they have vindicated it, the Europa League providing the United boss with the perfect platform on which to blood the next generation.

Of all the youngsters handed their chance by Solskjaer this term, Greenwood has been the most impressive, the England Under-21 star confirming his status as a star in the making.

After three games without a win, United now won three on the bounce, this victory coming on the back of their stunning Premier League triumphs over Tottenham and Manchester City.

Those three wins have transformed United's season and the Reds go into the busy Christmas fixture programme with Europe boxed off and their hopes of a top-four finish rejuvenated.

With both sides already through to the knockout stage, all that was left was to determine here was which of them went through as group winners.

United laboured in the first-half, but emerged with greater purpose after the break, playing with a swagger, with Greenwood assuming the role of chief tormentor.

Anthony Martial blazed the ball over the bar five minutes after the break, following fine work from Greenwood, but United eventually took the lead in the 53rd minute.

A fine piece of skill from Pereira, turning the ball past Jonas Svensson from a tight spot near the corner flag, started the move that led to the goal.

Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic exchanged passes, with skipper Ashley Young applying a flourishing finish into the roof of the net.

United doubled their lead within five minutes, James Garner getting away with a foul, Greenwood taking full advantage to steer the ball in for his fifth goal of the season.

Greenwood won a penalty four minutes later, when he was upended by Jordy Clasie, Mata converting from the spot for his first goal of the season.

There was more to come from Greenwood two minutes later, cutting inside to score with his left foot, a low near-post finish to make it 4-0 and cement another memorable night on his inevitable rise to the top.

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