Being at Manchester United might not have earned Jonathan Greening fame, fortune or even regular first-team football. But the Old Trafford hierarchy taught him a lesson that is just beginning to bear fruit - never give up.

Greening, capped 17 times at under-21 level, has this week been called up to the senior England squad for the first time. It has been a long time coming for the 23-year-old who started only 15 league games in four years at United before establishing himself as a key member of Steve McClaren's resurgent Middlesbrough.

 

Sven Goran Eriksson said of his new recruit, "Greening has been doing very well lately. I spoke to Steve McClaren and he told me he is ready.

His consistency this season has persuaded Sven to include 'Jonno' in his England training get-together, and you can be assured this is one player who will never go 'missing' whatever game he is involved in.

"It is something that is drilled into you at Old Trafford at an early age," says Greening, who was spotted and signed by Alex Ferguson as an 18-year-old at York City.

"I was told at United that you must always want the ball and make yourself available for a pass, even if you are going through a bad patch."

 

There were a couple of bad patches in Greening's first few months at The Riverside, at times the crowd started to lose patience. But he admits the experience gained by regular Premiership football has boosted his confidence and this season he hasn't looked back.

"I have reaped the rewards this season of having a full campaign under my belt. Last year was my first as a first-team regular and I gained a lot of experience from it; I learned a lot," he says.

"George Boateng and Geremi have come in and they have been a real asset. They are world-class players with international experience."

To add to wisdom, Greening has also gained physical strength - a summer on the weights means nobody has kicked sand in his face this season, as the way he handled Steve Gerrard in Saturday's win against Liverpool would testify.

Now, he hopes to take his club form into the international arena.

"It's not enough to stop at this. I want to do so much, that means playing in Europe and the FA Cup Final and being with England as well." 

 

Manager McClaren, no longer part of the England set-up of course, is delighted by Greening's promotion.

"It is an excellent reward for his told hard work and belief. It is justified by his excellent performances. The biggest thing he has is his bravery to take the ball."

And will training alongside Beckham, Gerrard and Owen phase him? No chance. "Nothing phases him," says McClaren.

Greening started only six games for York before he was invited to a week's trial by Manchester United.

Fergie paid £750,000 for him and despite limiting his appearances still made a tidy profit when McClaren - who knew all about Greening from his own time at Old Trafford - snapped him up for £2million.

By this stage, Greening had appeared regularly for his country at under-21 level but whereas United often play him up front - he scored hat-tricks for United's A team and reserves - McClaren had a clear role on the left-side of midfield for him and he hasn't disappointed despite only scoring once in his first 40 Boro appearances.

Greening hasn't been an overnight success, his England call follows five years or more of steady progression. But as he will tell you himself, some things are worth persevering with.

Joe Bernstein


JONATHAN GREENING FACTFILE

1979: Born January 2 in Scarborough.

1996: Signs professional forms with York City in August. Makes 28 appearances for the Minstermen, 22 of them as substitute, scoring two goals.

1998: March - signs for Manchester United. December 26 - Makes his league debut for United as a 66th-minute substitute in a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

1999: Makes his England Under-21 debut against Hungary.

2001: August 9 - Signs for Middlesbrough in a £2million deal. He made 14 league appearances for the Red Devils, 10 as substitute and a further 13 appearances in other competitions.

September 17 - Scores his first goal for Boro in a 2-1 win at Leicester.

2002: November 11 - Called into the full England squad for the first time for a get-together.