Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate must start one Manchester United star for England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against Switzerland on Saturday.
Gareth Southgate’s men are considered one of the favourites to win this summer’s Euros, despite failing to impress at the UEFA tournament so far.
England finished top of Group C at Euro 2024 in Germany after beating Serbia 1-0 and picking up draws against Denmark and Slovenia.
However, the Three Lions came close to crashing out of the last 16 before mounting a late 2-1 comeback win against Slovakia on Sunday.
Ivan Schranz opened the scoring for Slovakia in the first half and England struggled to break the deadlock until injury time.
Jude Bellingham produced the all-important equaliser with an overhead kick and forced the round-of-16 tie to extra time.
Harry Kane then headed home from close range in the first half of extra time to fire England into the lead against Slovakia at the Veltins-Arena.
Ferdinand talks Man Utd star and England
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, the 45-year-old Manchester United legend revealed his prediction for Gareth Southgate’s England XI against Switzerland.
Rio Ferdinand made his position clear that United star Luke Shaw must start the quarter-final tie, despite not making a single appearance for England so far.
Southgate made the controversial call to include Luke Shaw in his Euro 2024 squad, with the England defender missing the second half of United’s season due to injury.
Shaw hasn’t managed a single minute at the tournament so far due to his recovery from injury, leaving Southgate without a specialist left-back option.
Kieran Trippier has played as a makeshift left-back for England, but Ferdinand admitted that he would play Shaw even if he were only “75 per cent fit.”
“This is what I think Gareth will play,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.
“Jordan Pickford picks himself. Right-back, Kyle Walker. Marc Guehi is suspended so Ezri Konsa will come in, I think. John Stones and then I still think he will play Kieran Trippier at left-back.
“I would play Luke Shaw, I would get him out there even if he was 75 per cent fit, I’m sorry. He would give us the balance that we need. I would play him.
“I don’t think Trippier has that real understanding of playing left-back. He’s a great right-back and a great player but he’s finding it difficult. I think he plays Trippier, though, as much as I would play Shaw.”
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Ferdinand picks England midfield and attack
Luke Shaw was on the bench as an unused substitute for the Group C opener against Serbia before missing the Denmark match due to injury.
The 28-year-old United left-back returned to the bench for the final Group C match against Slovenia and was an unused substitute for the last-16 tie against Slovakia.
Shaw has been involved in the England team training at Euro 2024, but it remains unclear when the United star could return for the Three Lions.
Regarding his prediction for the Switzerland match, Ferdinand believes that Southgate won’t make any changes to the midfield or attack for the quarter-finals.
“I think he keeps it the same: Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Harry Kane,” he added.
“I don’t think he changes. I cannot see him making changes. I think we will see late subs again and win the game.”
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