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Mason Greenwood Manchester United 2021-22Getty Images

Watch: Greenwood compared to Haaland after breaking Rashford's Man Utd record with stunning scissor kick

Manchester United wonderkid Mason Greenwood opened the scoring in style on Wednesday with a brilliant acrobatic effort that put his side 1-0 ahead of Young Boys in their final Champions League group match.

With the Reds safely through to the last 16, Ralf Rangnick gave the 20-year-old the chance to shine as part of a reserve-heavy lineup at Old Trafford.

Greenwood wasted little time in taking advantage of that opportunity with a stunning scissor kick that allowed him to re-write the history books.

Watch Greenwood's amazing record-breaking goal

Which record did Greenwood break?

In finding the target against Young Boys, Greenwood registered his eighth goal for United in European competition.

No Red Devils player has ever recorded as many efforts on a continental stage before reaching their 21st birthday – with Marcus Rashford losing a notable entry in the Old Trafford record books.

Is Greenwood Haaland-esque?

Another eye-catching showing from the England international has seen some compare him to 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

Interim United boss Rangnick is better placed than most to enter that debate, having worked with a prolific Norwegian at Red Bull Salzburg, and he is wary of drawing similarities between two hot prospects.

The German tactician told reporters when asked if Greenwood and Haaland are cut from the same cloth: “I don’t think that we should compare those two players, they are different kinds of strikers and players.

“Erling Haaland is extremely physical, he’s 1.93 or 1.94 [metres tall], a different kind of striker. Erling for me is a target striker, he can play as a single striker like a target man or together with another striker in a 4-4-2.

“I think Mason is more of a nine-and-a-half – he can play as a striker, or he can also come from the wing, and he can play together with another striker.

“He’s very technical, left foot, right foot. Sometimes he looks a little bit not on an athletic level, and I think we have to develop him there physically. But technically all the things that he can do with the ball are outstanding.

“So I’m not so much worried about his technical level. We need to develop him physically and mentally to become the strongest version of himself and if we manage to do that he can become a regular player and a very valuable player for our club for the future.”

Further reading

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