Manchester United loanee Mason Greenwood played the full 90 minutes in Getafe’s disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Sevilla, this afternoon.
Greenwood started in his familiar role, on the right of a front three that was without Borja Mayoral through injury and the influential veteran Jaime Mata dropping to the bench.
Oscar Rodriguez had to play to give Greenwood, who started the game three points above the relegation zone, the opportunity to pose a threat to the visiting team.
Getafe was probably optimistic about their chances of beating a struggling Sevilla club because they had only suffered one loss in their previous five home games.
After just five minutes, Sergio Ramos, on his 38th birthday, scored the first goal, but the lead went to the visiting team.
Early on, Greenwood and his teammates found it difficult to build any form of momentum because Sevilla constantly disrupted play.
The United man did remain the hosts’ greatest threat in forward areas and saw an effort saved midway through the half.
It felt as though if Getafe were going to equalise before the break, the 22-year-old would have been involved. But the half fizzled out, rather frustratingly from the home side’s point of view.
Furthermore, it was only a linesman’s flag on the stroke of half-time that stopped Sevilla doubling their lead and Ramos’ tally for the day.
Greenwood reappeared for the second 45, which continued in the same vein, with Sevilla stifling the home side who had all the possession without carrying a punch.
The United man missed the target with Getafe’s first shot of the second period but continued to look the most dangerous player on the pitch in blue.
However, despite huffing and puffing for the entire second half, which included a disallowed goal in the dying embers, neither Greenwood or his teammates could find parity and Sevilla left Estadio Coliseum with the much needed three points.
Greenwood will be frustrated at not being able to muster an equaliser but once more showed flashes of his quality in what was a tough afternoon overall.
The forward has had a fantastic season in Spain, and United is hoping he can maintain this level of play to lead to a summertime bidding battle for his services.
Even if Sir Jim Ratcliffe stated that INEOS will reevaluate the academy product’s circumstances, it would be unexpected to see him rejoin the first squad at Old Trafford.
