MX23RW : Friday, November 15 16:39:06| >> :60:1242:1242:

Mason Greenwood: 'I am getting back in the zone'

Mason Greenwood: 'I am getting back in the zone'
© Reuters
The England forward headed a late winner against Brighton on Sunday.

Manchester United teenager Mason Greenwood feels like he "getting back into the zone" after a stuttering start to the season.

Tipped to become an Old Trafford star as the forward came through the academy, the 19-year-old shone during his breakthrough season and scored 17 goals in 2019-20.

But Greenwood has struggled to hit the same heights this term, scoring just six times in 40 appearances in a campaign that started with him being sent home by England days after his senior debut.

The teenager has been getting back to his best recently, though, and headed home on Sunday to secure a late 2-1 comeback win against Brighton.

"I'm getting back into the zone, really – somewhere I wanted to be earlier in the season but it's come now," Greenwood said.

"I never had my head down, always concentrated, always worked off-scenes in training and I'm happy it's coming out onto the pitch now."

Greenwood's recent uptick in performances has led to regular praise from manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as well as a new deal at Old Trafford until at least 2025.

The 19-year-old has scored in back-to-back games for the first time this season and his manager was delighted by his poacher's effort against Albion, with his diving header the reward for hard work on the training ground.

"It was very important," Greenwood said after his first Premier League goal since September.

"Brighton played well, they defended well and obviously to get the winner means a lot to me.

"I didn't really see after I headed it. I just saw after it went in the back of the net to see if it was my goal – I knew it was my goal.

Mason Greenwood, left, scores Manchester United's winner
Mason Greenwood, left, scores Manchester United's winner (Phil Noble/PA)

"I'm happy to score a header. I've been working on them all season in training and I'm happy one came off.

"It was one of my weaknesses, I'd say. To be a striker, to be an attacker, you've got to do all things and heading was one area where I was weak on.

"But with practice and help from the coaching staff it's obviously strengthened now and I'm bringing it out onto the pitch."

United showed impressive spirit on Sunday to consolidate their place in second spot and now turn their focus to Thursday's trip to Granada in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

"Coming back after the international break, it's always good to get a win," Greenwood told MUTV.

"Obviously it's a spring in our step onto the game in the Europa League and I'm sure we'll do well in that as well."

Brighton boss Graham Potter was frustrated to come away from Old Trafford with nothing, having taken the lead through Danny Welbeck.

Brighton goalscorer Danny Welbeck was denied a penalty for Harry Maguire's challenge
Brighton goalscorer Danny Welbeck was denied a penalty for Harry Maguire's challenge (Oli Scarff/PA)

The former United striker's early goal was cancelled out by Marcus Rashford, with the 30-year-old denied a penalty after a challenge by Harry Maguire before Greenwood's winner.

"Over the course of the game we did a lot well, but when you're 1-0 up you want to try and hold on and get something," said Potter, whose side are six points above the relegation zone.

"On another day we could have done that. We just need to move forward to the last eight games and get the points we need."

ID:441946: cacheID:441946:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8041:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring their first goal against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on April 4, 2021
Read Next:
PL roundup: Man United earn comeback win over Brighton
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!