Comparing Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli

Mason Greenwood is more technically gifted.

I think this point is an obvious one. While Martinelli is bulkier and moves a bit more rigidly, Mason Greenwood is extremely fluid and can use both feet to full effect – an incredibly positive asset for a striker to have.

In general, the English youth international is far better on the ball, which means he simply possesses higher technical quality. This, of course, does not make him the better player by any means, but it does mean that he is more complete a player for the time being, with more potential in some key areas.

Greenwood has an extremely impressive touch, and when paired with his impressive awareness in tight spaces, allows him to create the space required to get a shot off. This is a trait that is crucial when playing against deep-blocks – something Manchester United have struggled with.

It’s not that Martinelli isn’t technically gifted, because he is. Greenwood is simply on another level to the Brazilian in that aspect. Martinelli tends to influence general play less than Greenwood does, although they have both impacted the scoresheet greatly in all competitions.

https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1232017096407539719

Mason Greenwood has also shown to be a useful winger, using his mobility and technical quality to influence matches. While Martinelli has also had some good performances as a winger, his traits are far more limited, and therefore make him more suited to centre-forward. The Brazilian is simply not as good a passer or dribbler as the Englishman.

Mason Greenwood has racked up 13 goals and 4 assists this season, with the most impressive micro-statistic being his 5 goals in just 573 Premier League minutes played.