Gareth Southgate explains why Harry Maguire is in the England squad and is asked about Mason Greenwood

Gareth Southgate picked his words carefully when he was asked about Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood and he said he wasn't currently a consideration for England because he isn't playing football.

United concluded their six-and-a-half month investigation into Greenwood earlier this month and decided 'it would be most appropriate for him' to recommence his career away from Old Trafford.

The forward is set to play elsewhere and Southgate was asked about his future at his England press conference on Thursday.

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"It's clearly a very complex case and at the moment, he isn't playing football, so it's not a consideration for us," Southgate said.

"It's hypothetical [whether he could be involved with England in the future]. I think it's a topic that whatever I say, I could give you a nuanced answer, but it will be used in a less nuanced fashion, frankly."

Southgate named Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford in his England squad for upcoming international games against Ukraine and Scotland and the inclusion of the centre-back has been questioned due to his lack of game time.

Maguire made just eight league starts this season and he's yet to make a single appearance this term, but Southgate has continued to stick by him, although he did warn that not playing regular football is not ideal.

"With Harry Maguire, we've lost a lot of experienced players in terms of caps at centre half, so we're giving some less experienced players the opportunity to come into the squad," Southgate said.

"But unfortunately, it looks like Tyrone Mings is out for most of the season, John Stones is out for this camp, Eric Dier hasn't appeared in Tottenham's squad and Conor Coady is also out and in