England: Mason Greenwood 'told coaches he was exhausted' after being subbed off for Man United

Mason Greenwood ‘told coaches he was “utterly exhausted”‘ after being hauled off in Manchester United’s penultimate game against Fulham before the young forward pulled out of England’s Euro 2020 squad with an underlying injury

  • Mason Greenwood was forced to pull out of England’s Euro 2020 squad  
  • The Man United starlet withdrew as he recovers from an underlying injury 
  • The forward reportedly told coaches he was ‘utterly exhausted’ last month 


Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood reportedly complained of feeling ‘utterly exhausted’ last month after being hauled off against Fulham.

The teenage starlet finished the campaign in great form for the Red Devils – netting eight goals during a clinical spell that began in March – and he looked nailed on to earn a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

But Greenwood was forced to withdraw from the group preparing for Euro 2020 as he bids to recover from an underlying injury – believed to be relating to his groin – before next season kicks off.

Man United star Mason Greenwood reportedly complained of tiredness after playing Fulham

Man United star Mason Greenwood reportedly complained of tiredness after playing Fulham

The forward is said to have told coaches he was 'utterly exhausted' after being subbed off

The forward is said to have told coaches he was ‘utterly exhausted’ after being subbed off

According to the Athletic, Greenwood’s fitness issues were evident towards the end of the campaign having told coaches about his struggles after he was substituted by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 1-1 draw agains Fulham.  

Greenwood has endured a long season – which has seen him make headlines for the wrong reasons after inviting girls back to his hotel room with Phil Foden during England’s game against Iceland. 

He picked up the niggling problem earlier on in the year – with the same issue keeping him out of the Euros believed to have ruled him out for the Under-21 championships in March.

United told the England camp that he would be unavailable 48 hours after their Europa League final defeat to Villarreal last week, a game that saw Greenwood play 100 minutes as they were taken to extra time.

Greenwood was later forced to pull out of Gareth Southgate's England squad through injury

Greenwood was later forced to pull out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad through injury

He looked bright despite failing to inspire his side to the trophy, but was clearly lacking in energy and did not look disappointed after being taken off. 

A statement from United read: ‘Mason’s club appearances were managed carefully to maintain his availability through the intensive 2020-21 Premier League and Europa League schedules.

‘But a further spell of tournament football would not be beneficial and Mason will remain at Manchester United to recuperate and prepare for pre-season training.’ 

Talking over his selections for the Euros, Southgate insists Greenwood was ‘never an option’ for his squad ahead of the tournament.

He played 100 minutes in the Europa League final vs Villarreal but highlighted fitness issues

He played 100 minutes in the Europa League final vs Villarreal but highlighted fitness issues

‘He had to pull out on Friday, we knew he wasn’t a contender for the last few days,’ he said. ‘At that point (we) hadn’t got to the level of decision on reducing to 26. 

‘It is unfortunate for Mason to miss out on a tournament. Even though he is young these opportunities don’t come around often. We know what an exciting player he can be, but he wasn’t an option for us.’

Greenwood, who missed out on a place alongside Jesse Lingard, had been riding a wave after finishing the campaign with a flourish – just as he did in 19-20, which saw him score 17 times in all competitions.

He had looked nailed on for England after finishing the season with eight goals since March

He had looked nailed on for England after finishing the season with eight goals since March 

Even though he only netted 12 this time around, he still feels he enjoyed a superior season because he now feels like a ‘team player’.

‘I think I’ve done better than last season,’ Greenwood said. ‘The performances when I wasn’t scoring, I still think I was playing well. I don’t think I was playing poorly.

‘The final end product might not have been there and obviously towards the end of the season it’s kicked in, but I still feel like I’ve done a lot better than I had last year.

‘My goals and assists might not seem like it but in my opinion, and maybe the players around me, I feel like I’m more of a player for the team now as well.’ 

source: dailymail.co.uk