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Mason Greenwood Scored 16 Goals On His Debut, Game Finished 16-1

Mason Greenwood Scored 16 Goals On His Debut, Game Finished 16-1

A great story.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

A former Manchester United coach has told the incredible story of discovering a young Mason Greenwood.

Mark Senior, who once worked at the club's development centre, has spoken about the moment he spotted Greenwood's immense talents on a football pitch in Bradford, when he was just six years of age.

Image: PA
Image: PA

On his official debut, the youngster scored 16 goals for local side Idle Juniors in a 16-1 win. It was a sign of things to come.

"Scouts saw him when he wasn't even playing; they were watching another player that day," Senior told Goal.

"Mason just wanted to join a local team in Bradford called Idle Juniors, but he wasn't old enough, so he was kicking a ball around on the side of the pitch, waiting for his sixth birthday.

"As soon as he was six, we made sure we had someone to watch his first game.

"The team he was playing for had never won a game, and I am not sure they had even scored a goal. Then, Mason scored 16 on his debut and they won 16-1. A six-year-old made the local newspaper!"

Image: PA
Image: PA

Senior went on to speak about the day Greenwood arrived at Manchester United's development centre.

"He came to our development centre the night his goals from the weekend had made the local newspaper," Senior says.

"I got there a little bit early and Mason was already there in the car park smashing balls against the wall, with both feet. It was incredible.

"I asked him, 'So, are you this Mason who scored 16 goals at the weekend? Was it a bit easy for you?' He looked at me and said, 'If it weren't for me, we would have lost 1-0.'

"He went straight into the development centre in Huddersfield, into the age group above his own. Every single club quickly got wind of Mason, so then they were all after him."

Greenwood has already made a lasting impression on United fans, especially in recent weeks, and fans have started to compare his potential with former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.

Do you think he could become as good as, if not better, than the Dutchman?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Mason Greenwood