Mason Greenwood’s struggles in his second season at Manchester United can be traced back to two reasons.
The first was a lack of rest after his breakout debut season in which he made a total of 49 first team appearances in the campaign he turned 18.
United’s involvement in the delayed Europa League meant Greenwood got around a fortnight’s rest before he returned to action.
Greenwood’s already brief break was shortened when he was called into the England squad at the start of September.
This ended up as a total disaster, with Greenwood and Phil Foden making an error of judgement breaking covid protocols while in Iceland.
A number of negative headlines followed, and the media scrutiny on Greenwood followed. A recent article from The Telegraph about his new contract asked ‘what type of man will he become?’, in addition to looking at his on-pitch prospects.
So reports from The Mirror suggesting Greenwood will miss out on an England call up for the upcoming matches at the end of March, should be treated from United’s perspective as welcome relief.
It will be a blessing in disguise for Greenwood if he misses out on Euro 2021 entirely.
Objectively, it’s hard to argue Greenwood should be in the Three Lions squad in terms of his achievements this season. He has just four goals and four assists, which is hardly prolific.
What Greenwood needs is a summer to reset, to re-focus, rest and fuel his hunger for success. Watching England at Euro 2021 will spur on his desire to get better.
A summer of rest for Greenwood will help him to come back as a better, stronger player next season, and it will help United out too.
United’s squad will be packed full of players who will play at the Euros, from Marcus Rashford to David de Gea, Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire. It will help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer out to have a few who are left behind.
Greenwood, and any United players who don’t feature at the tournament, could have prominent roles early next season after getting a full summer to rest up.
The young striker beginning next season firing on all cylinders could be crucial to United getting off to a fast start.
Reports he could miss out on the England squad should be welcomed, as a positive development for both Greenwood and United.
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