Profiles of Liverpool and Man United teenage talents Bobby Duncan and Mason Greenwood

Greenwood’s good work out wide then set up the leveller with Di’Shon Bernard getting the final touch. The United striker then scored his 24th goal of the season in extra-time with another free-kick to send his side through.

Both Duncan and Greenwood have been turning heads lately and the two teenagers aged 17 are knocking on the doors of their respective first teams.

Here, we take a closer look at the two promising forwards.

BACKGROUND

Mason Greenwood: After scoring 17 goals in 17 starts for the U18s last season, he was rewarded with a professional contract in October last year and was even named on the bench by Jose Mourinho for United’s final Champions League group game against Valencia this season. He started off in the academy as an attacking midfielder but quickly transformed into a prolific striker. He’s featured for the England U17s and U18s.

Bobby Duncan: As the cousin of Kop icon Steven Gerrard, he carries the weight of expectation on his shoulders. He had trials with Liverpool and Everton as a 10-year-old but joined Wigan before moving to Manchester City where he ended the 2015-16 season with 66 goals. He moved to Liverpool in the summer of 2018 for a reported compensation fee of £200,000.

ATTRIBUTES

Mason Greenwood: As with most modern day strikers coming through the ranks, Greenwood is blessed with searing pace, making a habit of running in behind defences to devastating effect. His finishing though is where his maturity and composure comes to the fore. A truly two-footed footballer, he’s built a reputation for even taking penalties or free-kicks with either foot. With quick feet and the ability to bamboozle defenders with his trickery, he also has that rare quality to get people off their seats every time he receives possession. There’s always a chance that something special is in store. Greenwood has a lanky frame and certainly needs some weight training before he’s ready to perform consistently at the highest level but has all the qualities to be a complete striker, scoring all kinds of goals.

Bobby Duncan: A good place to start with Duncan is to address the fact that he has one heck of a left foot. His unerring ability to strike the ball cleanly, often drilling his efforts hard and low into the far corner has seen him bag plenty of goals. While he possesses a decent turn of pace, he really sparks into life inside the box. He sniffs out space in the penalty area, conjures enough room for a shot and pulls the trigger. A clinical finisher by nature, Duncan is incredibly efficient. He also links up well in attack with his striker partner, forging a fruitful relationship with Paul Glatzel for the Liverpool’s U18s.

PERFORMANCE IN U18 Premier League 2018/19

Mason Greenwood: Appearances – 11; Goals – 15; Assists – 5

Bobby Duncan: Appearances – 12; Goals – 13; Assists – 5