Gareth Southgate warned he will not take risks with Mason Greenwood's development as he explained the Manchester United forward's omission from his England squad.
Southgate unveiled his 25-man selection for the Three Lions' upcoming World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.
Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford earned his first call-up despite the fact he is without a goal this season.
This left no room for Greenwood, who has scored in each of the Red Devils' two Premier League games so far.
The 19-year-old made his senior England debut last September and was poised to feature at Euro 2020 this summer before injury ruled him out of contention.
Southgate insists Greenwood was in his thoughts to face Hungary, Andorra and Poland in early September, but he is loath to overburden the youngster.
"He is in our thoughts, very much," said the England boss of Greenwood. "I spoke with him and his club.
"He’s a player we really like and he’s got every possibility to be a top England player. We’re all conscious we make that progression at right time.
"He’s just breaking into team at United with lot of responsibility and we want to get our progression with our seniors so we get best possible player at the end.
"We’re all aligned with that, Mason the club, his family. We decided it’s best he stays with his club."
Greenwood is expected to lead the line for Solskjaer's side as they travel to Wolves on Sunday.
The United academy graduate added to his well-taken goal in the 5-1 thrashing of Leeds with an important equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Southampton last weekend.
Do you agree with Gareth Southgate's decision to leave Mason Greenwood out of the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers? Have your say in the comments.
Greenwood has looked best when used as a centre-forward this season, so it raised eyebrows he was deployed on the flank to accommodate Anthony Martial up front against the Saints.
Old Trafford legend Rio Ferdinand led the criticism of Solskjaer's decision while speaking on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube channel.
He said: "Mason Greenwood has been arguably our best player since we came back, in one of the pre-season games I saw and the two games in the league.
"The guy has just come back stronger, fitter, better. Coming back growing into a man from a boy – so why shift him from centre-forward to out wide to bring Anthony Martial in?
"I don’t understand it. He’s a goal-getter, if (Edinson) Cavani’s not fit put Greenwood as a No. 9. I think he’s good enough to do that.
"To play him out wide again… that was the one baffling one for me."
