The news that two of Manchester United's most exciting young players may have propelled their own names into the England reckoning was met with a strange reaction from some.

Judging by the views of a section of the United support, and the odd pundit, you'd think donning the Three Lions automatically precipitated a slide in domestic form.

Marcus Rashford would beg to differ, with his recent surge triggered by being dropped by Gareth Southgate in favour of Jadon Sancho, coupled with a fine performance in a qualifier against Bulgaria in October. 

Former United defender Wes Brown was asked about the possibility of Greenwood making it into the England squad, in the context of Harry Kane's current injury and possible candidates to fill the No.9 jersey for the national side.

"I’m sure in the future he’s definitely going to be one for England," Brown said when asked about Greenwood's international credentials.

"Is that going to be happening soon? I doubt it. Does he need that right now? Probably not.

"He needs to focus on Manchester United."

It just didn't stack up. If anything United players being called up by England should benefit them.

Being called up by England at a young age didn't do much harm to Wayne Rooney when he was breaking through as a teenager. Nor Rashford himself, or the man he's been vying with in Sancho. None had a glut of domestic appearances under their belts when they first got the England call and nor would Greenwood if it happened this season — but it would be a sure sign of the rapid progress he's made since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed the teenager his big chance in the United senior side.

It's not just Greenwood, either, in United's young legion who deserves a call up.

Brandon Williams would probably have a greater chance of forcing his way into the England side, given that only Ben Chilwell of the current options is in form. Williams has already seen off two English left-backs at United in Luke Shaw and Ashley Young. Danny Rose is in no sort of form at Tottenham and the options thereafter are scarce.

Mason Greenwood and team-mate Brandon Williams

Williams has exhibited remarkable levels of skill and composure since breaking into the United team this season, but his greatest asset is his work rate and ability to seemingly improve with every game. Considering the 19-year-old wasn't considered good enough to travel on United's pre-season tour to Asia and Australia in the summer, his rise is all the more incredible.

Williams and Greenwood are equally deserving of England call-ups, in the same way that United's off-colour English contingent (Shaw, Young and Jesse Lingard) should be ignored by Southgate.

You'd suggest, contrary to Wes Brown's words, that United will feel positive after-effects of these two potentially career-defining calls, not to mention the personal boosts for Williams and Greenwood themselves.