Gareth Southgate explains why Mason Greenwood is included in England squad | OneFootball

Manchester United youngster Mason Greenwood has been named in England’s provisional 33-man squad for the European Championships.

Greenwood made his international bow for England in September 2020 against Iceland.

However, he and Phil Foden were sent home for breaching COVID-19 regulations at the team hotel.

The 19-year old forward has not been recalled into the senior international set-up since then.

His exclusion was also due to his poor performances in the first half of the season but the youngster came back strongly in the past few months.

England boss Gareth Southgate hailed him as an “exceptional talent” while selecting him in the provisional squad.

He said: “In terms of the past, that’s absolutely the past.

“I spoke with Mason before we selected him for the Under-21s in March to make that clear.

“I hope his inclusion on this provisional list shows we’re happy to select him, when young people make mistakes we move on from it, it was the same with Phil.

“He’s an absolutely outstanding finisher, there’s no question of that.

“He’s another very young player, his all-round game is still coming together but he’s clearly got an exceptional talent for finishing and that’s why we picked him in September.”

Greenwood had a stunning breakthrough campaign last year. The expectations placed on the teenager were high but he failed to deliver.

His first Premier League goal this season came in December.

It took him another 15 appearances to score his second goal. Since then, this Manchester United academy product has been in the form of his life.

In the previous 10 appearances in all competitions, he has found the back of the net six times and also produced one assist.

He has the ability to score from both feet and can prove to be a wild card for Southgate at Euro 2020.

Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford, Dean Henderson and Luke Shaw are other Red Devils who have been named in England’s provisional squad.