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Against all the odds, Manchester United emerged victorious against fierce rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final to lift their 13th title on Saturday.
The famous win came despite the team missing several key players like Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire. This has been the story of the season for the club.
Injuries decimated the first team squad with manager Erik ten Hag hardly getting the option of picking a stable back four this campaign.
The left-back missed 37 games this term while the former club skipper was sidelined for 17 games. Despite injury concerns, both were called up by Gareth Southgate for the preliminary England squad for the Euros while Marcus Rashford missed out.
Shaw-Maguire update
As reported by Yahoo Sports, both defenders reported early to England’s training base with the medical team getting to work to understand their fitness levels.
Southgate has to trim his 33-man training squad down to 26 and then submit his final squad to UEFA on June 7. It is vital that he picks fit players and not take any passengers.
“Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire have had injuries at the end of the season with United, so they needed a little bit more work with our medical team,” Southgate was quoted as saying.
“But I think they’re both hugely committed to trying to be fit for the tournament and they realise that every day is important. Now we get a chance to see exactly where they are and that’s the key at this time of the season.
“We get information from the clubs, but until you see the players in front of you, medics get their hands on them, and we can see them on grass, then you have a much clearer picture.”
England play Bosnia on Monday at St James’ Park before welcoming Iceland to Wembley next Friday as part of their preparations. Six players including FA Cup finalists are yet to join training with Kobbie Mainoo among them.
There has been a growing clamour for the United academy graduate to be handed a starting berth for the European Championship games.
The Three Lions manager exercised caution while also claiming that the player had shone that he can handle the pressure with his displays in red this season.
Mainoo talk
“The curious thing about young talent is how will they cope under pressure,” Southgate said. You can see technical ability, everybody can see that, but then it’s about how tactically aware (they are), how mature, ability to cope in big matches.
“When you’re playing for a club like Manchester United, you’re always under the spotlight, so he’s shown that with them, with us in March. We’ve never been afraid to put young players in. If players are good enough, then we’re not so concerned about their age.
“It’s helpful to have more evidence when you’re making decisions on players, so Kobbie’s had an amazing season, really adjusted well. Fabulous for him to finish the season with a goal and a trophy at the end of it.”
From a United perspective, fans will be hoping all three can emerge injury-free from the tournament and be in top shape ahead of pre-season.
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