MAGUIRE,FODEN,GREENWOOD IN ENGLAND SQUAD

 

Four Manchester United players were today named in England squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark.

The players are Mason Greenwood, Dean Henderson, United captain Harry Maguire and forward Marcus Rashford.

Mason Greenwood’s inclusion make it the first time the 18-year-old has been called up to the senior Three Lions side, after a season in which he hit 17 goals for Manchester United in 49 appearances.

Greenwood, has won four caps for England Under-21s in 2019, is one of three new players called up by Gareth Southgate for the games, which will take place in Reykjavik and Copenhagen behind closed doors on Saturday 5 September and Tuesday 8 September respectively.

The 18 years old, busted on to the scene last season, scoring 17 goals. That is a joint record for a teenager in a season for Manchester United, alongside George Best, Brian Kidd and Wayne Rooney.

In addition to Greenwood, Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips have also been handed a maiden senior call-up.

 Foden, 20, has earned his senior England call-up after impressing for Manchester City last season under Pep Guardiola, playing 38 games in all competitions and scoring eight goals.

While Defensive midfielder Phillips, 24, caught the eye in helping Leeds win promotion to the Premier League after 16 years in the second or third tiers.

Speaking on their inclusion England manager Gareth Southgate said "You are always questioning with those young players when is the right time to move them up, we felt now is a good time.

"We are a year away from a European Championship and let's see if they can start to break into that team, that squad.

"It gives us great competition for places, they are realistic challenges" Southgate added.

Young goalkeeper Dean Henderson could also be in line for an international debut, after being part of Southgate’s squad last year.

On United Captain Harry Maguire inclusion in the team Southgate said "I have spoken with Harry and have the insight to the story which is very different to what's being reported.

"I have no reason to doubt what he's telling me and it's important he knows he's got my support at this moment.

"Harry regrets the fact he has brought that sort of focus and attention to the team, he apologised for that, but also has his own side of the story."

Meanwhile, Southampton forward Danny Ings earns a recall for the first time in five years, after netting 22 goals in the Premier League last season.

Midfielder Jack Grealish, who helped Aston Villa retain their Premier League status last season, has not been included in the 24-man squad.

Forward Raheem Sterling has been picked, same too for his Manchester City team-mate Kyle Walker has earned a recall.

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Leicester duo Ben Chilwell and James Maddison miss out through injury.

England face their Euro 2016 conquerors Iceland in Reykjavik on 5 September before playing Denmark in Copenhagen three days later.

The disruption caused to the football calendar by coronavirus, including Euro 2020 being delayed by a year until 2021, means England have not played since November 2019, when a 4-0 win in Kosovo concluded their Euro 2020 qualification campaign.

ENGLAND FULL SQUAD FOR GAMES V ICELAND AND DENMARK

GOALKEEPERS

Dean Henderson (UNITED), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley)

DEFENDERS

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Michael Keane (Everton), Harry Maguire (UNITED), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

MIDFIELDERS

Eric Dier (Tottenham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Harry Winks (Tottenham)

FORWARDS

Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Mason Greenwood (UNITED), Danny Ings (Southampton), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (UNITED), Jadon Sancho (Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)