In-form teenager Mason Greenwood said “anything is possible” as Manchester United closed the gap to 8 points between themselves and leaders Manchester City as we reach the business end of the Premier League season.
Greenwood netted a brace as United beat Burnley 3-1 in what seemed like a game that was being played by a tired Man United side following their game in the midweek that saw the Red Devils qualify for the semifinals of the UEFA Europa League.
The 19-year-old scored from what was a product of terrific team play. United failed to hold onto their lead as they conded less than 2 minutes later courtesy a James Tarkowski header after the break as the Burnley defender connected on a corner kick to beat Harry Maguire in the air and level the game up.
Greenwood put the hosts back in front in the 84th minute with a strong left-footed strike that took a cruel deflection of Jack Cork that goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell could do nothing about.
Edinson Cavani then tapped in from close range after another great team build up by United. Birthday boy Donny van de Beek came on got the assist for United’s 3rd to wrap up the victory at Old Trafford.
“You can never be sure,” said Greenwood about United’s hopes of catching their rivals City. “They might slip up, we have to concentrate on our next games.
“Anything’s possible, hopefully they drop some points but we just have to keep focused on our games.”
Manchester United players celebrate Greenwood’s second goal of the game. (Photo by Gareth Copley/PA Images via Getty Images)
United closer to the title than dropping to 3rd place
“Can we catch City?”, said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer beforehand. “Stranger things have happened in football. Bigger leads have been given away.”
The Red Devils trailed leaders Manchester City by 14 points last month but have now reduced that to eight with six games to play after beating City themselves in the Manchester derby and a 10-man Leeds upsetting the Citizens as well.
Manchester United started the season poorly losing 3 of their first 6 games but have only lost one league game since and that was an upset when they lost to already relegated Sheffield United. Solskjaer’s side has won 5 straight league games for the first time since when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer first took charge of the club as a caretaker manager.
They showed the perseverance and patience needed in any champion side as they found the winner late on and finished it off with a third in stoppage time against Burnley.
Mason Greenwood has become Manchester United’s joint-top scoring teenager in the Premier League with 15 goals, alongside Wayne Rooney, and that has earned him praise from boss Solskjaer.
“He’s mixing up his game. He goes inside and outside, he’s maturing all the time,” said Solskjaer. “It’s lovely to see. He’s put the work in on the training ground and reaps the rewards.
“I’ve seen how mature he is on the training ground and he plays with maturity and understanding.”
Manchester United have already matched their points tally from last season with still 6 games to go.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the post-match said, “You never know, anything can happen in either box. Any time they get a cross in with their quality you’ve got your heart in your mouth. We built some pressure, especially down the left, wanted to do the right things and we got the goals we wanted.
“We knew there’d be long balls, win the first one, win the second one and stop the ball into the box. The delivery was great and we had to work hard again.
“We will keep concentrating on what we’re doing and keep winning. Keep the momentum going.”
Burnley visit Wolves while Manchester United travel to Elland Road to face historic rivals Leeds United on Sunday.
