Yahoo Finance England players to take a knee in Nations League - Greenwood
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS EMBARGOED UNTIL 2130GMT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
VIDEO SHOWS: NEWS CONFERENCE WITH ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER, MASON GREENWOOD, RECENT FOOTAGE OF GREENWOOD TRAINING WITH MANCHESTER UNITED, RECENT FOOTAGE OF HARRY MAGUIRE IN GREECE, FILE FOOTAGE OF DONNY VAN DE BEEK, RECENT FOOTAGE OF LIONEL MESSI
SHOWS:
BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 1, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER, MASON GREENWOOD, SAYING:
REPORTER (OFF CAMERA), ASKING: "Have you spoken to your new England team mates about whether you'll take the knee ahead of this game against Iceland and again against Denmark? And would you like to see it continued in the Premier League by everybody next season?"
"Yes, it's more than likely we'll be doing that really because it's obviously -- it's a big thing now in football that everybody notices it really and obviously a lot of people watch football as you can see. So, that'll send a good message out there for everyone and for my part, I'd like to see it next season as well, to stay there as well."
2. WHITE FLASH
3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER, MASON GREENWOOD, SAYING:
"It's changed massively really because we've got the logos on the side of our shirts and obviously we do the one knee before the game and as the Premier League we're just trying to send a message out there to the whole world that it's important for everyone to know the reasons why and obviously because we don't want racism in football or anywhere really in the world, worldwide. So, it's good that the Premier League are trying to send a message out."
COLOGNE, GERMANY (FILE - AUGUST 9, 2020) (UEFA - NO RESALES. NO COMMERCIAL USE. MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "©UEFA 2020")
4. MASON GREENWOOD TRAINING WITH MANCHESTER UNITED
5. MANCHESTER UNITED TRAINING IN PROGRESS
BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 1, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER, MASON GREENWOOD, TALKING ABOUT BEING SELECTED FOR ENGLAND FOR THE FIRST TIME, SAYING:
"Really, it's a dream come true, really. You know what I mean; playing for England and being selected for England, it's every young boy's dream, really. So, I'm privileged and obviously honoured to be selected because it's a good group of lads and I'm just happy to be there."
COLOGNE, GERMANY (FILE - AUGUST 9, 2020) (UEFA - NO RESALES. NO COMMERCIAL USE. MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "©UEFA 2020")
7. GREENWOOD TRAINING WITH MANCHESTER UNITED
BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 1, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER, MASON GREENWOOD, SAYING:
"Yes, obviously, I feel ready to compete with anyone really, like in the league. Just, as I was saying before, just going out there with a smile on your face and just playing football really and that's what it's all about. And obviously, we're an England team here and it's good that everyone is pushing for places and stuff. It makes the training better and obviously makes the games better. But we're a team here, so it's just how it is."
COLOGNE, GERMANY (FILE - AUGUST 9, 2020) (UEFA - NO RESALES. NO COMMERCIAL USE. MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "©UEFA 2020")
9. MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYERS WARMING UP INCLUDING GREENWOOD
10. TRAINING SESSION IN PROGRESS
BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 1, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER, MASON GREENWOOD, TALKING ABOUT HIS SEASON WITH MANCHESTER UNITED, SAYING:
"Yes, it's happened quick, really like you say you can be called on any time and I was called into some Europa League games earlier this season and I took my chance really and I've just been playing and I just took every game by… as it came and I've just been out there playing my football and obviously I've got a good group of lads there helping me and stuff so it's all good."
COLOGNE, GERMANY (RECENT - AUGUST 15, 2020) (UEFA - NO RESALES. NO COMMERCIAL USE. MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "©UEFA 2020")
12. MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER, OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER AT TRAINING
BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 1, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER, MASON GREENWOOD, TALKING ABOUT MANCHESTER UNITED, SAYING:
"Obviously, we've had a good season and we hopefully -- next season we're looking to push for those places, not just to finish in the Champions League places (but) also to push for the league really and it's been a long time coming and I feel like we're starting to get there, we're finally starting to be ready to be pushing for them places up at the top of the table."
SYROS, GREECE (RECENT - AUGUST 22, 2020) (THEODOSIS DANABASIS - ACCESS ALL)
14. VARIOUS OF MANCHESTER UNITED CAPTAIN, HARRY MAGUIRE (WEARING BASEBALL CAP AND MASK) WALKING DOWN STEPS OF COURTHOUSE WITH OTHERS AFTER SEEING PROSECUTOR AND CROSSING STREET TO ENTER VEHICLE
COLOGNE, GERMANY (RECENT - AUGUST 15, 2020) (UEFA - NO RESALES. NO COMMERCIAL USE. MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "©UEFA 2020")
15. MANCHESTER UNITED CAPTAIN, HARRY MAGUIRE DURING TRAINING SESSION
BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 1, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER, MASON GREENWOOD, TALKING ABOUT HARRY MAGUIRE, SAYING:
"It's really not for me to say and stuff really, but like obviously, Harry is a good lad and that and I'm looking forward to seeing him back at the club when I finish this international break and just being happy with him being back with the team, really."
LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - NOVEMBER 4, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
17. AJAX MIDFIELDER, DONNY VAN DE BEEK JOGGING DURING TRAINING SESSION
18. VARIOUS OF VAN DE BEEK AT TRAINING SESSION
BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 1, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
19. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER, MASON GREENWOOD, TALKING ABOUT AJAX MIDFIELDER DONNY VAN DE BLEEK WHO'S REPORTEDLY CLOSE TO SIGNING FOR MANCHESTER UNITED, SAYING:
"For me it's not really for me to say really. That's for the club and stuff to sort out with but I've seen some stuff of him and he does look like a good, promising player so that's good there then."
LISBON, PORTUGAL (FILE - AUGUST 13, 2020) (UEFA - NO RESALES, NO COMMERCIAL USE, MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "©UEFA 2020")
20. LIONEL MESSI TRAINING WITH BARCELONA
BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 1, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
21. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER, MASON GREENWOOD, TALKING ABOUT LIONEL MESSI'S REPORTEDLY INTERESTED IN TRANSFER TO MANCHESTER CITY, SAYING:
"Obviously, it would be amazing to even come up against him really, because obviously all young footballers know about Messi as everyone knows. So, to be on the same pitch playing against him, it would be like another dream come true, really. Not just for me, but for everyone really, because to have someone that high profile to come to the Premier League it's obviously a big thing, isn't it."
LISBON, PORTUGAL (FILE - AUGUST 13, 2020) (UEFA - NO RESALES, NO COMMERCIAL USE, MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "©UEFA 2020")
22. VARIOUS OF MESSI TRAINING WITH BARCELONA
STORY: Mason Greenwood says it's likely that England will take a knee at the start of their UEFA Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark this week.
Athletes from around the world have been united by the Black Lives Matter movement and soccer players in various leagues have been taking a knee since the death of George Floyd, a Black man in police custody in Minneapolis in May.
Wednesday (September 2) marks 100 days since Floyd died and Greenwood said it was good that soccer players were using their platform to raise awareness of racial issues and hopes the Premier League will allow players to continue to take the knee next season.
Greenwood could make his England debut against Iceland or Denmark having been called up to the national team for the first time - something which the 18-year-old described as "a dream come true" when speaking to reporters at a news conference on Tuesday (September 1).
The Manchester United player's selection comes after scoring 18 goals in all competitions in his first full season in Ole Gunnar Solskaer's squad.
Greenwood added that he felt confident he could could replicate his club form with England and he believes Manchester United are ready to mount a genuine Premier League title challenge next season.
United's chances would be boosted if they completed the reported signing of Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek. When asked about the Dutch international, Greenwood was tight lipped about the transfer although he acknowledged Van de Beek is a talented player.
Greenwood is in the England squad along with Manchester United team mate Dean Henderson. Marcus Rashford withdrew from the England squad due to injury while Manchester United captain Harry Maguire was removed from the squad having been found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insult after his arrest in a brawl in Greece which two police officers were assaulted.
Maguire has since been granted a full retrial after appealing against the Greek court convictions. In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing nullifies Maguire's conviction and United confirmed there will be a full retrial in a more senior court.
Greenwood again said it wasn't a matter for him to discuss, only adding that he was looking forward to seeing him again after the international break.
One matter that Greenwood was happy to discuss was the potential transfer of Barcelona captain Lionel Messi to the Premier League saying it would be another dream come true if he was able to play against the six-times Ballon d'Or winner.
The Argentina international handed in a transfer request last week and is widely reported to favour a move to United's rivals Manchester City should he leave the Camp Nou.
(Production: Tim Hart)
