UEFA Nations League

[monks data]

Nations League | League B

Sep 7, 2024 at 5pm UK

Aviva Stadium

Rep. Ireland
0 - 2
England

Szmodics (45'), Molumby (65'), Brady (68'), O'Brien (77')

FT(HT: 0-2)

Rice (11'), Grealish (26')
Mainoo (14'), Colwill (77')

Lee Carsley reveals whether Mason Greenwood will return to England squad

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter

Published: September 6 2024 | 21:10

Last updated: September 7 2024 | 14:17

'We cannot consider him' - Carsley refuses to call up in-form Englishman

England interim manager Lee Carsley insists that he could not consider calling Mason Greenwood up to September's squad despite his fast start to life in Ligue 1.

England interim manager Lee Carsley has affirmed that he 'cannot consider' selecting Mason Greenwood for Three Lions squads despite his fast start to life at Marseille.

The 22-year-old has already scored five goals and set up one more in three Ligue 1 matches for Roberto De Zerbi's since his inevitable exit from Manchester United, who sold him to the French side for £22m this summer.

While Greenwood has resumed his club career since all criminal charges against him were dropped, the ex-Getafe loanee has not played for England since his first and only appearance for his nation in September 2020.

Greenwood was not expected to be called up for September's Nations League squad regardless of his performance in France, but Carsley was still quizzed on his international future in Friday's press conference.

"Mason wasn't a player that we can consider to be honest, no," Carsley said ahead of Saturday's UEFA Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland. "I'm aware of how he's doing but he wasn't under consideration."

Greenwood unlikely to play for England under Carsley

Mason Greenwood in action for England in September 2020 © Imago

Greenwood's senior Three Lions debut against Iceland in 2020 preceded the attacker being sent home from the camp alongside Phil Foden, as the pair breached COVID-19 guidelines by inviting two women to their hotel.

The 22-year-old was subsequently frozen out of the ranks under Gareth Southgate but continued to go from strength to strength at club level, until his arrest in January 2022 following online allegations from a woman.

Greenwood was initially arrested on suspicion of rape and assault before being further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill, with a trial date set for November 2023.

However, due to key witnesses withdrawing and new evidence coming to light, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against Greenwood, whom Man United were allegedly planning to welcome back before changing their minds due to heavy backlash.

The 22-year-old performed well during his Getafe loan last season and has hit the ground running in Ligue 1, but it appears that he will not be resuming his international career while Carsley is at the helm.

Carsley addresses Declan Rice, Jack Grealish Ireland concerns

Arsenal's Declan Rice warms up on August 11, 2024 © Imago

However, two players who are set to feature tomorrow are Declan Rice and Jack Grealish, both of whom represented the Republic of Ireland during the early stage of their international careers before pledging allegiance to England.

While Carsley is anticipating a "hostile" atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, he revealed that he has stressed as such to the whole squad rather than just Rice and Grealish when asked if he was worried about starting them.

"No, not at all," Carsley added. "We spoke not only to Jack and Declan to the whole squad, we spoke about the atmosphere. We expect it to be exciting, passionate loud but it'll be no different to what the players are used to in the Premier League."

When asked how the fans will welcome him specifically, Carsley - who won 40 caps for Ireland but reportedly turned down the chance to manage them earlier this year - added: "I'm not sure to be honest. If [it is like] the reception that we had off the kids outside it'll be very positive!"

Three days after the clash with Ireland, Carsley's first home match in charge of England comes against Finland at Wembley, while Greece are also vying for promotion from League B Group 2.