It was a night when “dreams came to life” for two emerging English skills.
Manchester United and Arsenal had a hard time for large parts of their particular Europa League openers, however by the end 2 teens revealed themselves on the senior phase.
First, 18- year-old academy graduate Bukayo Saka scored his first senior objective, and set-up Toolbox’s other 2, to assist the Gunners beat Eintracht Frankfurt.
Then, 17- year-old Mason Greenwood, who has come through the United youth ranks, saved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side from a discouraging draw against Astana with his first objective for the club.
So who are they? What records have they broken and what are individuals stating about their futures?
- Greenwood ratings very first Guy Utd objective in win over Astana
- Academy graduates shine as Arsenal beat Eintracht Frankfurt
‘ Greenwood will be a United starter for many years to come’
Manchester United are eager to connect Greenwood down to a new agreement.
Greenwood signed a professional contract in 2015 but commemorates his 18 th birthday on 1 October and United are confident of being able to mark the event with a financially rewarding new deal.
” We are always in talks with the boys about how we see the future. Mason is one we desire to keep with us,” stated Solskjaer.
There are couple of better locations for a Manchester United academy graduate to score their very first objective than in front of the Stretford End.
United had been kept out by Kazakh side Astana for 73 minutes on Thursday before Greenwood cleverly cut on to his ideal foot and ended up through the goalkeeper’s legs.
In doing so, the striker ended up being United’s youngest scorer in Europe and the first player born in the 2000 s to score for the club.
Greenwood made his United launching in last season’s Champions League last-16 tie versus Paris St-Germain, featured heavily in pre-season and came off the bench in the Reds’ very first four Premier League video games this season.
Last season, he scored 26 goals in 30 games throughout United’s youth, reserve and senior teams and made his England Under-21 debut previously this month.
Solskjaer has said Greenwood’s progress reminds him of United legend Ryan Giggs while his fellow United striker Marcus Rashford says his natural abilities are ” frightening”.
After Greenwood’s match-winning efficiency versus Astana, previous Manchester United and England striker Michael Owen informed BT Sport: “I really like Mason Greenwood and not just due to the fact that of tonight.
” I have actually seen him often times in the youth team and he is a proper, proper gamer. He could be a Male Utd starter for several years to come. I believe he will be.”
‘ He looked much better than Pepe’
Saka was making just his 5th senior start as part of an inexperienced Arsenal forward line, alongside fellow academy graduates Emile Smith Rowe, Joe Willock and striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, but was the Gunners’ most impressive gamer in a difficult video game in Germany.
The winger established Willock for the Arsenal’s opening goal, smashed in the second in the 85 th minute, and teed up Aubameyang 2 minutes later.
He was a risk throughout with his pace and hoax on the left flank and the teenager’s goal made him Toolbox’s youngest scorer in Europe since Aaron Ramsey in October 2008.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown said Saka looked more remarkable than the Gunners’ record signing Nicholas Pepe who joined this summer for ₤72 m.
” They worked away attempting to get young gamers in and they have found one in Saka,” Keown said on BT Sport.
” You think about the way Pepe is playing at the minute and they paid ₤72 m for him, and this kid looks much better than him tonight.”
Saka, born in London in 2001, was provided his senior launching in last season’s Europa League and scored 5 times and made eight assists in 20 games for the reserve side last season.
He has made 8 appearances for England’s Under-19 s and has scored 3 times and set up another 2.
‘ A dream come to life’ – what they said
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka: ” I’m so delighted to score for Arsenal, it’s a dream become a reality – I have actually been imagining this minute because I was a kid.
” I just wish to keep working hard to ensure I can feel this feeling once again.”
Shades of Van Persie – what you said on #bbcfootball
Richard Berry: The method Greenwood moves advises me a lot of Van Persie.
Stuart Mitchell: Greenwood is the very best striker to come through the unified academy in years, he will have a better goal scoring profession than Rashford.
Emil, Stroud: I have actually been seeing Mason Greenwood bet the youth team for several years. The kids got bags of talent, a genuine star for the future.
Adam Salter: Saka has actually grown and grown and grown in this video game. Looked nervous at the beginning, but that objective caps a dazzling efficiency. Easily the Male of the Match.
Fred, Hampshire: Two helps and a goal, appears like Saka might be knocking at the door after all.