BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton revealed that he would not start three Manchester United players for England’s opening Euro 2024 match in Germany this summer.
Gareth Southgate’s men punched their ticket to Euro 2024 after a strong qualifying campaign, with England finishing top of Group C without suffering a defeat.
The Three Lions won six of their eight Euro 2024 qualifying matches, with England finishing six points clear of defending European champions Italy.
Gareth Southgate’s team, who were beaten at the final of Euro 2020 by the hands of Italy, are in Group C at Euro 2024 alongside Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia.
England will kick off their Euro 2024 campaign in Germany on 16th June against Serbia before facing Denmark on 20th June and then Slovenia on 25th June.
Southgate is out of contract with England in December 2024 and the 53-year-old England boss’ long-term future remains shrouded ahead of the tournament.
The Three Lions manager has even emerged as a shock candidate for the Manchester United head coach role if Erik ten Hag is axed from Old Trafford.
Southgate is expected to call up several United players to his Euro 2024 squad, including the likes of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford.
Man Utd stars playing for England
Manchester United stars were in action during the March international break for England, with Kobbie Mainoo making his debut for the Three Lions.
Kobbie Mainoo, who has had a breakout season at Old Trafford, came off the bench and impressed on his England debut in the 1-0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley.
The 18-year-old United midfielder then earned his first start under Gareth Southgate, who played Mainoo in the England XI against Belgium.
Mainoo impressed with his performance against Belgium, with the Three Lions rescuing a late 2-2 draw at Wembley thanks to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
Harry Maguire played in the Brazil defeat before he came off due to an injury complaint, while Marcus Rashford made a cameo appearance against Brazil.
The 31-year-old former United captain, who is a key player for England boss Southgate, missed the Belgium match after he was withdrawn against Brazil.
Rashford, on the other hand, was an unused substitute against Belgium and made very little impact during his performance in the friendly match against Brazil.
Sutton snubs three Man Utd stars for England
Speaking to BBC Sport, Chris Sutton picked the England XI he would start in the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on 16th June.
The TNT Sports pundit and commentator surprisingly picked Liverpool defender Joe Gomez ahead of Maguire, despite the latter being a favourite for Southgate.
Sutton admitted that Southgate would pick Maguire ahead of Gomez if the United defender is fit for the tournament.
Despite impressing during the March international break, Mainoo failed to make Sutton’s England XI for the Serbia clash.
Sutton also left out Rashford in favour of starting Manchester City star Phil Foden, while the injured Luke Shaw was the only United player to make his team.
“Gareth Southgate will pick Harry Maguire if he’s fit but I have been really impressed by Joe Gomez this season, wherever he has played in Liverpool’s defence, and I want to pick him,” he said.
“Bukayo Saka is on the right flank in my team but Phil Foden has to be in there somewhere – I’ve put him on the left – and the big decision was who gets the extra midfield spot.
“I want to be attack-minded but I’m not putting Trent Alexander-Arnold in there, I’m going with James Maddison.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/Oe9fZFj