Many may have a good beginning but not all can brag about having a happy ending.
Mason Greenwood, a bright youngster who had everything in his power to become one of the greatest, not just in Manchester United's history, but possibly in the whole world, had his career at the Stretford end cut short due to one bad decision.
Coming from the Red Devils' academy, Mason excelled in all divisions, most notably during his time playing for the club's U18 squad, where he scored 34 goals in 34 goals.
He was awarded the Young Manchester United's Player of the Season in 2019.
He was so gifted, that he only played a total of 7 games for the U23 before earning a full time call up to the senior squad.
Mason, during his time in the club, was known to be a complete winger, who could also slot into the No. 9 position when called upon.
He was also ambidextrous; which is the ability to use with both feet.
Unlike players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Heung-Min Son, who had to train hard in order to perfect their weaker foot, he (Greenwood) used his weaker foot like it was his stronger foot since day 1.
Though he is strongly a left footed player, he could switch to the right at any point, which has been seen when he takes a freekick or penalty, as he prefers his right over the left.
This attribute made him one of the most unpredictable players in the Premier League and it made him a legitimate threat to defenders.
In the 2019/2020 season, Greenwood was involved in 20 goal contributions in all competitions for United, scoring 17 goals and providing 3 assist.
It was this season that he formed a deadly partnership with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in the attacking front, a brilliant trio that led the team to a third place finish in the league table.
Combined, United scored 66 goals in the league, with the three of them having a total of 43 out of the 66 ( Martial with 17, Rashford with 17 and Greenwood with 10).
He was the team's second highest goalscorer in the Europa League with 5 goals, with Bruno Fernandes taking top spot with 8 goals but it is an impressive feat, seeing that the Portuguese maestro only been at the top mainly because of the goals he scored for Sporting earlier in the season.
By the end of the year, Greenwood finished 12th in the Golden Boy award list, a testament to his performance throughout the season.
As it was, the only way was up for the young Englishman.
In the 2020/2021 season, Mason couldn't replicate his performance of the previous year, as he struggled for consistency, but in the second half of the season, he became one of the pivotal players in the team.
Eventhough the MMM partnership couldn't transition to this season, as Martial dipped in form, Mason made sure to step up alongside Rashford, Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes in the quest of pushing the team forward.
His efforts alongside others helped United finished in 2nd place this time, in a year where they actually threatened to win the league itself.
United also made it to the Europa League Final and but were unfortunately unsuccessful in claiming the illustrious trophy, losing to Villarreal on penalties.
As for Mason, he finished with a total of 12 goals and 4 assists in all competitions and despite his rough start to the season, he was placed 11th in that year's Golden Boy award list.
At this time, everything was setting up for him and for the fact that he was given the No. 11 jersey, one of the senior numbers in the squad, it showed that the club saw big things in the youngster.
.....But everything began to change after his call up to the England National Team.
In 2021, Greenwood got his senior debut for the three lions, coming on as a 78th minute substitute in a 1-0 win against Iceland in an UEFA Nations League Group Stage Match.
Just 24 hours after, he, alongside Phil Foden, was axed from the national team due to protocol COVID-19 violation in Iceland and even after Foden was forgiven and reintegrated into the team, Mason was left out and hasn't made another appearance for the team since.
After a turbulent end to the season, Greenwood knew he had to be at his very best in the 2021/2022 season and for a moment, he seemed like he was in his best form.
In the first three league matches, he scored 3 goals for United, with one of them being the sole winner against Wolves.
This performance made him United's August Player of the Month and was a serious contender for Premier League player of the month.
However, on the 31st of January 2022, Greenwood was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault.
He was further arrested on the 1st of February on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill.
As they say, the rest is history!
Greenwood's charges were dropped in 2023 but because of the events and negative effects that will come to the club if he was brought back to the team, the two sides came to a mutual agreement to part ways.
Here he is now, Mason Greenwood, 21 years old, axed from the National team and also from the United team.
A talented player who had everything to be a star but fell due to a big mistake.
Where he goes now is unknown and only he can decide what is good for his future.
Thank you for your time...
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