MASON GREENWOOD has been urged to leave his Iceland shame in the past and create ‘better memories’ for his country.
The Manchester United forward was called up to the England Under-21s squad for next week’s Euros group stage.
Aidy Boothroyd has backed Mason Greenwood to shine for England U21s this summerCredit: Reuters
It is the first time the 19-year-old has been picked for his nation at any level since being sent home in disgrace from Gareth Southgate’s seniors in September.
That was after he and Phil Foden were caught breaking coronavirus guidelines by inviting two women back to their hotel room while on international duty in Reykjavik.
Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd said: “We all make mistakes, especially when you’re a young person.
“Gareth dealt with the situation, along with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, at that time. Gareth has spoken to him a couple of times since.
“What’s done is done. We move on and create some better memories of time with England.”
What’s done is done. We move on and create some better memories of time with England
Aidy Boothroyd on Mason Greenwood
While Foden has fought his way back into Southgate’s thoughts after a terrific season with table-topping Manchester City, Greenwood has struggled for form this term.
He managed just four goals in his 37 appearances since the Iceland game — but it has not affected how highly the England hierarchy rate him.
Boothroyd agreed it was right that the Bradford lad be left out of all international squads in October and November and remain with United.
He said: “It was right to stay where he was. That period of time has done him the world of good.”
It is hoped Greenwood can reintegrate in a similar manner to Callum Hudson-Odoi, who dropped back from the seniors last year and has also been included in Boothroyd’s 23-man squad.
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Greenwood and pal Phil Foden were sent home from England senior duty in disgrace in SeptemberCredit: PA
He added: “It’s all part of sport and life. You get an opportunity, you take it, things don’t work out, you come back down.
“You’ve got to get back on your bike and go again.
“Callum’s certainly done that and we’re expecting Mason to do that. We just felt 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.”
Boothroyd also handed first call-ups to Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe, Cheltenham loanee keeper Josh Griffiths and PSV’s Noni Madueke.
We just felt that Mason is going to be a key player in the future and we wanted to get him into this tournament
Aidy Boothroyd
Madueke, who turned 19 last week, quit Tottenham in 2018 to go to Holland and has hit eight goals in 25 games this season.
Boothroyd is hoping the forward, who is also eligible for Nigeria, can make a similar impact to Foden at the last Euros.
The ex-Watford chief said: “He’s a very talented young man and really excited to be called up.
“A little bit like Phil last time, nobody had really heard of him until he came and played in the tournament.
“We’re hoping Noni and all the players named in the squad can create even more positive attention.”
The group stage of this year’s Euros, in Hungary and Slovenia, has been brought forward to this month.
England face Switzerland in Koper on March 25, Portugal on March 28 in Ljubljana and Croatia back in Koper on March 31. The knockout stages are between May 31 to June 6.
Mason Greenwood admits he wants to be Man Utd’s centre forward
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
