Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood has withdrawn from England Under-21s squad because of an injury. United are hopeful it is not a se...
Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood has withdrawn from England Under-21s squad because of an injury.
United are hopeful it is not a serious issue but Greenwood will be unable to take part in any training this week.
This was the 19-year-old's first call-up to any England squad since he was sent home from the first team last September having breached coronavirus regulations.
Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has withdrawn from England’s squad for the Under-21 European Championship finals due to injury. The 19-year-old scored the equaliser in United’s 3-1 defeat to Leicester City in the FA Cup on Sunday, and was able to complete the match. But he will take will take no part in England’s upcoming Under-21 European Championship campaign which begins against Switzerland on Thursday. Aidy Boothroyd’s side will then face Portugal on Sunday before finishing the group stage against Croatia next Wednesday.
England have confirmed that Norwich City midfielder Todd Cantwell has been brought in to the squad as Greenwood’s replacement. United, meanwhile, are next in action on April 6 when they host Brighton at Old Trafford.
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Mason Greenwood scored in Manchester United’s defeat to Leicester City on Sunday (Getty)
Earlier this month, Boothroyd defended the decision to include Greenwood in his side instead of the senior squad. ‘We treat every player as an individual and we think very carefully when and where we pick them. Clearly in Mason’s situation, it was right that he wasn’t right to play for his country and to stay where he was,’ he said. ‘That period of time has done him the world of good. That’s a positive thing.
‘We felt as an organisation that Mason is going to be a key player in the future and we wanted to get him into this tournament, get some games into him and know what it’s like to be at a tournament. ‘He is an outstanding player. He’s got some great experiences already with his club, playing in the Champions League and the Europa League. He’s getting plenty of opportunities but we felt it was the right thing for him to come with us.’
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