Southgate could hurt United with two Euro 2024 decisions

When the England medical team decided Luke Shaw was worth a spot in the 26-man squad for Euro 2024 it was Thursday, June 20 that was circled in pencil. The second group game against Denmark was earmarked as a potential return date for the only natural left-back in Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Instead, that game passed by with Shaw once again not fit enough to be involved on a matchday and on Friday and Saturday he continued to train away from the main group. Having not played for four months and still not returned to full training, it is now almost impossible that he features against Slovenia on Tuesday.

That is a problem for England, who are in desperate need of some balance on that flank. You can understand why Southgate wanted to take the gamble on Shaw but it’s a decision that doesn’t look like it’s going to pay off.

ALSO READ: United’s plans for a squad clearout were already apparent in Old Trafford dressing room

ALSO READ: United make Jarrad Branthwaite Everton stance clear amid £80m transfer comparison

Shaw’s last game for United was on February 18 and in successive weeks he was forced off early for his club due to injury. He missed 34 games last season due to two separate muscle injuries.

Taking a risk on a player with that kind of fitness record is always a gamble and having so badly missed Shaw themselves last season, United will be watching his situation nervously. He needs time to build up his match fitness but if England’s situation in Germany looks desperate he might not get it and that is when the risk is greater.

It’s probably not an ideal situation either way. If he does return home without having kicked a ball then Shaw will have gone through his rehab without then getting to the point of playing games and building up his match fitness. That might have to wait for pre-season and another block of conditioning.

The ideal scenario for Shaw might be that England regain some poise and composure on Tuesday and he gets the chance to ease his way back in from the last-16 stage, perhaps being fit enough to start in a quarter-final or semi-final.

On the evidence of Frankfurt on Thursday that feels unlikely for now. Maybe the performance level will improve with the inclusion of a different United player. Kobbie Mainoo has played just four minutes in this tournament and as first midfield change has been overlooked for Conor Gallagher.

The experiment of playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield hasn’t worked and that area of the pitch needs a recalibration. Gallagher will bring energy but England needs quality as well and more use could be made of 19-year-old Mainoo. His skills in possession in midfield and the way he could protect the ball stood out for United last term.

Changes feel likely now after the disjointed display against the Danes. That performance went down badly with Marcus Rashford’s brother and agent, with Dwaine Maynard taking to Instagram to post: “It’s hard to sit and watch when you honestly believe your man could make the difference!”

In fairness, not taking Rashford was a decision Southgate was praised for a few weeks ago. The forward didn’t do enough for United to earn a place in the squad and could have no complaints when he was dropped. On the evidence of his performance level this season, he wouldn’t have been the man to make a difference.

Someone needs to, however. Shaw would do but isn’t fit enough. Maybe Mainoo can be that man.