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Football London
Football London
Sport
Andy Ha

'Twice the player' - Man United and Arsenal fans clash over Mason Greenwood and Bukayo Saka

Arsenal and Manchester United both made a winning start to their Europa League campaigns, with two players in particular making a key impact.

Teenage forwards Mason Greenwood and Bukayo Saka both scored for their sides as United edged Astana 1-0 at Old Trafford, while Arsenal beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in Germany.

The performances vindicated Unai Emery and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's decision to hand starts to the youngsters, and their showings will no doubt put them in the frame for minutes in the Premier League.

Indeed, speaking to the MEN ahead of United's trip to West Ham, Solskjaer hinted that it would be hard to not include Greenwood in his starting line-up.

"It's always hard to keep players who perform well out of the team," Solskjaer said of Greenwood. "I remember when I came in here... and if he keeps scoring goals, he'll play.

"If he keeps scoring goals when he's on the pitch he'll get more minutes in the Premier League as well, and he'll get his first start [in the league this season] soon.

"Consistency's key in football anyway, consistency in team selection and form. But you've got players like Axel [Tuanzebe], Mason [Greenwood] and Fred knocking on the door to be in from the start."

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown also heaped praise on Saka after the Gunners academy graduate scored and provided two assists.

"They toyed away trying to get young players in and they have found one in Saka," Keown said on BT Sport. "You think of the way Pepe is playing at the moment and they paid £72million for him, and this kid looks better than him tonight.

"By the way, Willock as well gets the reward and breakthrough moment for him. He gets a bit lucky but that is all 100 per cent the academy there.

"Yes they rode their luck. There were three or four good chances for Frankfurt tonight, but they kept going.

"And when he gets the ball here, the young kid Saka, look at this for composure, he's passed that into the goal - it's a beautiful finish. He's 18 years of age - unbelievable."

United and Arsenal fans both took to social media after the games to debate which club had the better prospect, but one thing is for sure - the future is bright for both teenagers.

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