Gareth Southgate choosing to rely on Luke Shaw at Euro 2024 is shaping up to be a very controversial call.
After watching Manchester United struggle most of the season without a fit left-back, Gareth Southgate thought, ‘I’ll have a bit of that’.
No quips about him preparing for the United job please. That’s no laughing matter for supporters of the club.
Southgate relying on Luke Shaw for Euro 2024 was a show of faith in the defender. Fine. But then choosing not to insulate himself from a possible setback, by not taking another left-back, was quite simply a foolish choice.
Luke Shaw injury latest
Luke Shaw is not fully fit. We noted earlier this week how he is proving a point, after he admitted he was irritated by fans asking how he could be fit for England and not United.
Shaw insisted he was not fit for neither, and he is a man of his word.
After missing England’s first two group games, he has been ruled out of the Three Lions’ final group stage match against Slovenia.
Even though he was pictured in training with England for the first time, he won’t be available to play at the tournament, yet.
Southgate told Goal: “Luke’s the only one that’s not really available. He’ll possibly change with the team tomorrow but he’s not quite ready to be involved in the game.”
Luke Shaw at risk of re-injury
So there is hope Luke Shaw might be back for the group stages. But if we have learned anything from Manchester United this season, it’s that players should not be thrown straight into match action after returning to fitness.
This is a point raised by former England international Carlton Palmer last night on X, who questioned the decision to take Shaw, and to leave Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell at home.
Palmer writes, in reference to Shaw: “Not played since February, a huge gamble, take the left back from Crystal Palace.
“You telling me you are going to play him in the knock out stages and he will be up to speed. No chance he will break down again.”
This is where it is very concerning for Manchester United.Luke Shaw has a bad record with injuries, suffering four separate ones in 2023/24.
The hope was that Shaw would get a rest this summer and a fresh start in 2024/25.
This hasn’t been the case, and the prospect of him getting injured at Euro 2024 is a potentially disastrous one.
Right now, United should actually prepare as if he will. Tyrell Malacia can’t be relied upon either after failing to play at all last season.
It is important for the club to sign a new left-back this summer, and provide cover. Relying on Shaw is a dangerous game. England could be about to find out the hard way.