Webber: Mason fully deserves England call-up

Mason was included in the Three Lions' 24-man roster on Tuesday, for the upcoming Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark, and it’s the first time our no.26 has been selected for the senior squad.

Webber, who, like Greenwood, progressed through our Academy and made his senior United debut as a teenager, is delighted with the youngster’s development and knows his performances in 2019/20 were down to countless hours of dedication at the Aon Training Complex.

“I think, first and foremost, he’ll be delighted,” Danny told us. “It’s another thing he’ll take in his stride, if I’m honest. Everything that’s put in front of him, he goes out and he’s totally himself.

“As far as it being deserved, it’s fully deserved – he’s earned it. It’s not just a shoo-in, or ‘come and have a game with us’, he’s earned it. The goals he’s scored, the performances he’s put in.

“I think, even over lockdown, you could see he worked really hard on his physicality and he’s earned every part of it. I’m delighted. I’ve loved his work for a number of years now and I don’t expect any less, I think he’s a fantastic talent who will continue to progress as long as he keeps his focus.”

Webber never represented the senior England side, but experienced playing for the country’s under-age teams. The former striker also spent time at nine different clubs in his career and has some advice for Mason about entering a new dressing room.

“Just be himself,” said the 38-year-old. “Go in with a level of humility, that he has already and just focus on playing football – which is what he does best.

“Sometimes, you can go in and build up the whole scene, with England and all the people around. It’s not about that, it’s about going and enjoying your football and continuing what you do.

“People will be looking at him to see how good he really is. It’s the first time Gareth Southgate and the other players will have seen him at close quarters.

“They’ll be assessing him, but it only takes a little lollipop in the box, and to put one past the keeper, for them to think he’s the real deal. So he’s just got to continue being who he is, do it with a level of humility and enjoy himself.”

While playing for England comes with a lot of expectation and pressure, Danny believes Mason should be used to that after representing United over 50 times already.

“It’s a different kind of pressure,” he explained. “When you’re playing for United, you’ve got an army of fans around the world that support you through thick and thin, especially when you’re a homegrown talent and you’re coming through, you get that support.

“But there’s a serious pressure to play to a level and win trophies and get back to the top, which is what we’re trying to do at the moment. With England, it’s different, there’s a different pressure as different sets of fans are watching, but it’s for a common goal.

“You’re playing with players you normally would be playing against. The pressure is there because, once you’re in a squad, you want to be in the team. Once you’re in the team, you want to do well and stay in the team.

“When you’re playing at the top of your game, like these boys are, there’s pressure every time you lace your boots up and step onto the pitch.”

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