Gareth Southgate explains Mason Greenwood exclusion from England squad

Manchester United star Mason Greenwood was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad earlier on Thursday, despite scoring in both of his appearances so far this season.

The 19-year-old ended last season in sparkling form, earning himself a place in Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2020 but was forced to pull out with an injury.

Instead, he focused on rehab over the summer and looks to have returned to the club in tip-top shape and has arguably been United’s best player so far this campaign. Many would have tipped the forward to be included in the first England squad of the season but Southgate has now explained why Greenwood was excluded.

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“Mason Greenwood is in our thoughts,” he said in his England press conference. “We’re all aligned, Mason, the club, his family and us.

“The best thing for him after these first few games is to stay with his club. It’s clear on his performances he’d warrant being in the squad.”

The news will, however, come as a positive for many Manchester United supporters as it offers the youngster added rest amid the start of a long, hard season. The extended break this summer seems to have given him an extra boost.

Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard, and Jadon Sancho were all named in the England squad.

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