Yahoo News Mason Greenwood a wildcard, but predictable Manchester United badly need January transfer window inspiration
On this day, of all days for Manchester United, it’s not the time to trot out the old line: "You never win anything with kids."
You do. And over the course of 4,000 consecutive games with a home-grown product in their first team squad, United have won plenty.
But these kids need help.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs help.
This 1-1 draw with Everton only underlined that point.
A tumultuous and turbulent campaign has provided enough green shoots of hope to suggest Solskjaer is onto something.
The Norwegian’s cultural reset is chiming with a club that lost its way post Sir Alex Ferguson.
But while the youthful exuberance of this United team in full flow is a breath of fresh air, on too many occasions this season they have been too easy to halt, too predictable.
That’s 12 points dropped against the bottom seven clubs – and for Solskjaer, one point fewer than Jose Mourinho had when the former manager was sacked last season.
At their worst, United are one-dimensional, short of inspiration or ideas.
Everton became the latest of the ‘lesser’ clubs to expose those failings.
Solskjaer’s United are a team that needs to capitalise when they’re on top – just as they did in the wins against Tottenham and Manchester City that preceded this game and kept the wolves from the door.
Against Everton they squandered three glorious chances in the early stages, fell behind to a Victor Lindelof own goal and were left swinging in the dark for an equaliser.
Substitute Mason Greenwood ensured this day of celebration wasn’t a complete damp squib – and on this occasion there could hardly have been a more fitting saviour. But the 18-year-old’s stunning strike on 77 minutes was a moment of individual brilliance, rather than a case of Everton finally succumbing to the home side’s relentless onslaught.
True, United dominated the second half, but Jordan Pickford was rarely tested.
When Solskjaer sent for Greenwood, switching to a 4-2-4 formation, it was a last throw of the dice.
Chasing an equaliser, with Everton increasingly withdrawn, he did the only thing he could. He’s not blessed with attacking options in reserve – but in Greenwood he has a wildcard.
And what a wildcard.
Where Greenwood is concerned, we’re learning anything is possible.
Receiving a pass from Daniel James on edge of the box, he created a fraction of space and dispatched a left-footed shot of such accuracy and power that Pickford was left flailing trying to prevent the ball from nestling in the bottom corner of his net.
There was still time to secure a win that would have moved United to within two points of Champions League qualification – but it never looked like coming.
The shortcomings of this squad are all too evident. And as encouraging as United’s performances have been against the top six, their performances against just about everyone else undermine any hopes of a top four finish.
As things stand, the Champions League places are well in play.
Four points separate positions four and seven – and as much as this is a long-term project for Solskjaer, short-term targets remain attainable – against all the odds.
With the January window fast approaching, he has the opportunity to bolster a squad that has promise, but is too shallow to compete on a consistent basis.
The failures of Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Daniel James to hit the target when each of them could see the whites of the goalkeeper’s eyes in the first half was evidence of United’s lack of cutting edge.
And the sheer lack of clear-cut chances created after the break pointed once again to the need for a top-class playmaker.
Solskjaer has been promised the funds to strengthen over the next two windows – but there’s an acceptance January signings will be difficult to push through.
Erling Braut Haaland is a leading target – and the Norwegian goal machine would provide a new dimension to their attack.
Likewise, Leicester’s James Maddison is the type of No10 who can unpick stubborn defences.
The imminent return of Paul Pogba will also add much-needed quality and options in midfield.
It is a cliché – but the France international will be like a new signing if Solskjaer can coax anything like his best form out of him in the second half of the season.
That is a big ‘if’ – and if this campaign is to be rescued in the New Year, reinforcements are vital.
