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Mason Greenwood vs Watford — through the middle
Off-the-ball movement + link-up play
A THREAD:
Off-the-ball movement + link-up play
A THREAD:
The majority of his senior career has come on the right but Greenwood is quite clearly a goalscorer and it's likely that his long-term future is at centre-forward.
He isn't ready to lead the line yet, but FA Cup games are great for him to get more experience through the middle.
He isn't ready to lead the line yet, but FA Cup games are great for him to get more experience through the middle.
In this match, Greenwood was brought off after 68 minutes for Anthony Martial.
This thread will look at both his off-the-ball movement and his link-up play throughout the match.
This thread will look at both his off-the-ball movement and his link-up play throughout the match.
Off-the-ball movement —
There were poor moments and good moments for Greenwood in this respect. He had some good movements but also was quite static in and around the box when the ball was in wide areas.
There were poor moments and good moments for Greenwood in this respect. He had some good movements but also was quite static in and around the box when the ball was in wide areas.
These examples show 2 situations where James is in a wide area. Greenwood doesn't move away from his marker with a sprint or change in movement. Both times he made it easier for the defenders and more difficult for James, even if his execution was poor both times.
In this example, we can see Greenwood make a great run into the space in behind the Watford defence, but Mata chooses against the pass and instead keeps possession by going back to Telles.
A good run, which stretched the opposition backline, nevertheless.
A good run, which stretched the opposition backline, nevertheless.
Here, Greenwood makes a nice run across the RCB, opening up a passing lane in between the RCB and the RB for Lingard to play into. *He made this run and received the ball twice in the first half.
His first touch is good, but he can’t get a good enough connection on the shot.
His first touch is good, but he can’t get a good enough connection on the shot.
This was impressive, even if nothing occurred from it. As the ball falls down and Lingard hits it on the volley, Greenwood anticipates that the ball will flash across goal and makes a quick movement to be in a position for a tap in.
Edinson Cavani esque anticipation.
Edinson Cavani esque anticipation.
Greenwood also ran the channels multiple times, helping progress the ball for his side.
Here are two examples where he ran the channels, in the 1st he holds the ball up and retains possession and in the 2nd he can't hold it up and the ball goes for a Watford throw-in.
Here are two examples where he ran the channels, in the 1st he holds the ball up and retains possession and in the 2nd he can't hold it up and the ball goes for a Watford throw-in.
Link-up play —
Greenwood was involved in a fair few of attacking combinations and did well. He had a pass accuracy of 88.9% for the match and completed 16 passes. [ @SofaScoreINT]
Greenwood was involved in a fair few of attacking combinations and did well. He had a pass accuracy of 88.9% for the match and completed 16 passes. [ @SofaScoreINT]
In this example we see Greenwood drop into the half-space to receive the ball from Tuanzebe. After receiving, he turns and plays the ball to James and then makes a third man run so that van de Beek can ultimately play him through into the final third.
Nice play.
Nice play.
Greenwood was also involved in United's best combination through the match.
He moved into a pocket of space to receive the pass from Mata and then plays a good pass into van de Beek, against the backline. His flick finds Mata's run, whose shot is saved by the goalkeeper.
He moved into a pocket of space to receive the pass from Mata and then plays a good pass into van de Beek, against the backline. His flick finds Mata's run, whose shot is saved by the goalkeeper.
Ultimately, it was a quiet performance from Greenwood, but there were positives to take from it.
He was also playing without midfielder looking for the killer passes, e.g. Fernandes.
He was also playing without midfielder looking for the killer passes, e.g. Fernandes.
While he still needs a lot of improvement, Greenwood has definitely improved in his all-round play since last season.
Where do you think Greenwood needs to improve his game?
Thanks for reading!
Where do you think Greenwood needs to improve his game?
Thanks for reading!
