Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has been handed an injury problem ahead of his return to the England U21 fold.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the striker has been forced to withdraw from international duty with an unidentified injury.
The report suggests that the Red Devils are hopeful that the problem will not keep him restricted to the sidelines for too long but it will nonetheless be a concern for United and, of course, for Greenwood himself.
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Before he picked up the problem, it was appearing that the 19-year-old was beginning to regain his form in front of goal.
He ended a long goal drought at the weekend, netting his first strike since January in the team’s damaging 3-1 defeat to Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Having scored 19 goals last season but just five so far this term, the international break would have given him the opportunity to continue his recent form with the Young Lions set to begin their UEFA U21 Euro campaign against Switzerland, before matches against Portugal and Croatia.
He will now not be available for Aidy Boothroyd’s team and Greenwood’s absence will be of concern to Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Manchester United have been handed an attacking injury crisis in recent times with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani all suffering from their own problems.
Whilst the latter two did make their returns from injury in the defeat at Leicester, any reoccurrence, coupled with Greenwood’s problem, could see the Red Devils extremely light in attacking positions.
It is clear that Solskjaer is a big fan of the youngster, with him stating that the £45m-rated forward is “top class”, so his absence will be felt.
It will be hugely disappointing that the Red Devils and the Young Lions will be missing a player of such calibre, especially with the upcoming tournament such a great opportunity for Greenwood to continue re-finding his clinical touch.
If he performed well at the U21 level, which he was more than capable of given his immense quality, he could have returned to United full of confidence, but that will no longer be the case, which will more than likely be a bit of a blow to his manager.
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