Mason Greenwood is focused on Manchester United's bid for Europa League glory as his late season form continues to propel talk of an England recall for Euro 2020.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakout season at Old Trafford last term, his 17 goals making it the joint most prolific season for a teenager in United's history – level with George Best (1965-66), Brian Kidd (1967-68) and Wayne Rooney (2004-05).
He found the going somewhat tougher this time around and had five goals in 39 appearances across all competitions heading into the March international break, when he failed to make Gareth Southgate's squad.
Since April 1, Greenwood has eight goals in 11 games, with six in seven in the Premier League making him the division's joint-top scorer alongside Burnley's Chris Wood during this period.
United take on Fulham on Tuesday before closing their Premier League campaign at Wolves. All attention will then turn to the Europa League final against Villarreal in Gdansk, when the Red Devils will seek to win a first major honour since lifting the same trophy four years ago.
"To win something with United would be amazing," Greenwood told Sky Sports.
"I want to do that. We are in a good position to do it. A good finish to the Premier League season and a win in the final would be nice. We need a bit of silverware, we have not had any for a few years, so to bring it back home would be a good feeling.
"It would be nice to go to the Euros but I just want to be fully focused on United for these two games and the Europa League final.
"What happens, happens. I have not really been thinking about it too much. I have just been going out there thinking about my performances for United, how to score and help the team score.
"I have just been focusing on my football."
Greenwood found himself under scrutiny for actions off the pitch earlier in the season when, after making their England debuts in Iceland, he and Manchester City playmaker Phil Foden were sent home for breaching coronavirus protocols.
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer believes the United youngster has come through that episode a stronger person and, with Euro 2020 squads now expanded to 26 players, the clamour for Gareth Southgate to include Greenwood as a wildcard pick in attack is mounting.
"I totally agree with him, I have come through it stronger," Greenwood said.
"All of these little things make you into a better person, a better human being and a better footballer. It makes you learn a few things. It is like when you are playing, you learn from your mistakes. You either let it affect you or you push forward. Why not push forward?"
Greenwood added: "The manager has been fully focused on me and he has helped me a lot. He speaks to all the lads a lot, individually and as a group. I am really pleased to have him there."
Couldn’t have done much more – Gordon sure Naismith has passed Hearts audition
Hearts captain Craig Gordon believes Steven Naismith could not have done much more in his interim reign and feels the squad would be happy for the former Scotland forward to get an extended run at the job.
The Tynecastle board are discussing the managerial vacancy this week, with some directors reported to be in favour in handing Naismith a permanent contract after he led Hearts to European qualification.
After succeeding Robbie Neilson on the back of five consecutive defeats which saw Hearts slip to fourth, Naismith won two and drew three of his seven games in charge as the Jambos finished three points behind third-placed Aberdeen.
Gordon, who was speaking at Camstradden Primary School in Drumchapel to highlight the work of the Scottish Football Association’s Learning Through Football programme, said: “He has stepped up for the last seven games and everybody within the squad has been very happy with the way things have gone and how he has gone about it.
“The players bought into everything he was trying to get them to do. He spoke really well in team meetings.
“I think the players would be happy with that (Naismith getting the job). We will see what happens over the next week or so when the board gets together and what options they have. But certainly I think he did pretty well over those seven games.
“He is very driven, and very clear in what he is looking for from the players. It’s been a big seven weeks for him to come in and the games we have faced but he has got a response from the players.
“He did a very good job. Whether he becomes the full-time manager or not, I think he can hold his head up high because it was a difficult time to come in, we were on a very bad run of form, and we managed to pick up a little bit and turn things around. From his point of view he couldn’t have done much more.”
Gordon played with Naismith for many years for Scotland before they linked up on the park with Hearts.
“As a player you absolutely saw he had that drive and the love of the game to go into coaching,” the goalkeeper said.
“He has always seen the game really well as a player and able to talk others through the game.
“He got into the B team at Hearts and done very well over the season and improved a lot of the players, and I think that’s a great sign as a young coach.”
Gordon is aiming to be involved under Naismith or a new manager after missing the second half of the season following a double leg break on Boxing Day, but he will not be fully fit for the start of pre-season.
“I have a big summer of rehab,” the 40-year-old said. “I will be working in the gym with the physios right throughout the off-season, and then I have got to go back and see the surgeons again in the middle of July and see how things are progressing.
“I will probably know a little more about how long it’s going to take after that.”
David Wotherspoon leaving St Johnstone as club decide against new contract offer
St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean has decided against offering three-time trophy winner David Wotherspoon a new contract as he begins a ruthless squad overhaul.
The 33-year-old midfielder has spent 10 years with his hometown club and helped them to Scottish Cup glory in both 2014 and 2021 as well as the 2021 League Cup.
However, Wotherspoon is one of 14 players who will be leaving Saints this summer as MacLean, who was appointed permanent boss last weekend following an encouraging stint as interim manager, prepares to rebuild the squad following two consecutive seasons of battling relegation.
The Canada international will be given a testimonial year by the club, with details to be announced in due course.
Michael O’Halloran, Eetu Vertainen, Jamie Murphy, Charlie Gilmour, Bobby Dailly, Spencer Moreland and William Sandford are the other players who have not been offered new deals, while veteran midfielder Murray Davidson had already decided to retire after 14 years with Saints.
Remi Matthews, Alex Mitchell, Adam Montgomery, Zak Rudden and Connor McLennan will all return to their parent clubs after being on loan at Saints, while Theo Bair has been made available for transfer.
“I’ve had conversations with all of the lads who were out of contract and one or two of the decisions were hard ones to break to the players involved,” MacLean told Saints’ website.
“Jamie is a model professional and gave his all for Saints in his year here. Michael has been part of the cup successes. I wish them both well.
“David is a St Johnstone legend and I have total respect for him as a professional footballer and as a person.
“He’s played a huge role in all of our successes in the past decade.
“I’ve had a chat with him to explain the reasons behind my decision. I feel I have made the right choice for the football club as we move forward.
“I’d like to wish David the very best in whatever comes next for him in his career.”
Recently-appointed chief executive Stan Harris paid tribute to long-serving duo Wotherspoon and Davidson.
“David has made a significant contribution to St Johnstone over a decade and fully deserves his status as a club legend,” he said. “On and off the park, he has served us wonderfully well.
“He goes with the best wishes of myself and everyone else on the board.
“Also, on behalf of the board, we wish Murray Davidson the very best as he retires from football. Murray has been at Saints for 14 years and his overall contribution has been outstanding.”
David Martindale talks up signing of ‘leader’ Michael Devlin for Livingston
Livingston manager David Martindale believes he has landed a high-calibre defender after signing Scotland international Michael Devlin from Hibernian.
The 29-year-old former Hamilton, Aberdeen and Fleetwood player joined Hibs on a short-term deal in January after serious injury derailed his career following his three outings for the national team in 2019.
Devlin’s only appearance for the Edinburgh club came as a late substitute in last weekend’s season-ending draw with Hearts.
With his Hibs contract due to expire, he will make the short-distance switch across the Lothians to join Livingston and replenish a defence depleted by the departures of key duo Nicky Devlin and Jack Fitzwater under freedom of contract.
“I’m delighted to get Mikey over the line,” Martindale told the Lions’ website.
“He brings a wealth of experience at an extremely good level. Mikey has had his injury problems over the last two to three seasons but I am confident that we have a fantastic skill set at the club to get Mikey back playing Premier League football.
“He is a good age and was playing international football late 2019. He can cover a few positions and is a leader on the park.
“He is versatile and has played in the centre of defence, as a defensive midfielder and at right-back on occasion too.
“There is no doubt in my mind that if it wasn’t for his injuries the last two seasons, he would still be playing international football and at the top end of the league.”
Devlin has signed an initial 12-month contract that can be extended year-on-year for up to three years based on a set amount of starts each season.
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