Jesse Lingard thinks Manchester United team-mate Mason Greenwood is ready for his first England call-up.
It makes you wonder whether he would have been capped already had Euro 2020 went ahead and had not been rescheduled until next season. The 18-year-old Manchester United forward will set his sights set on making Gareth Southgate’s squad after showing what he can do in the Premier League this season.
After recently becoming an ambassador for American Pistachio Growers, Lingard held a virtual press conference on Thursday and we were invited to ask several questions along with other members of the press.
I wanted to get Lingard’s thoughts on Greenwood, who this season became such an important player in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, and his team-mate has been impressed with what the youngster has producing on the pitch.
“He’s [Mason Greenwood] been brilliant,” Lingard said. “Ever since he started training with the first team he’s done exceptionally well. Even though he’s so young, he has took on the reins by scoring goals and providing assists. The manager seen his talent and put him into the team.
“Now it’s about working hard, keep practicing and staying humble with his feet on the ground. I think he will do that anyway, he’s always been a humble guy and he’s got good confidence as well.”
Asked if he thinks Greenwood is ready for an England call-up, the midfielder said: “I think so. The way he’s playing at the moment, he’s been brilliant scoring goals. That’s all he can keep doing.
I also got to ask Lingard who was the best player he played with in the Manchester United youth academy. He was caught between Ravel Morrison and Paul Pogba.
“I’d probably say Ravel Morrison or Paul Pogba. Ravel was technical, a real natural with dribbling and shooting ability. He had everything in his locker.
“I know Paul since he was 16 and he was big at that age. He’s been maturing each year and you could see what type of player he would turn out to be — winning trophies like the World Cup, so I’d probably put those two up there.”
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