Luke Shaw has made an admission that both he and the medical staff at Manchester United made a mistake with a selection decision which has not helped his England chances.
The 28-year-old has played only 15 times for United this season after his time on the pitch was limited by injuries.
Shaw joined United in 2014 and scored four goals in 275 games for the Old Trafford club, but has had spells out during that time due to injuries.
The left-back was named by Gareth Southgate in his initial 33-man England squad for Euro 2024 this summer in Germany, despite not being fit to play at the moment.
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And the former Southampton man has been selected in Southgate's final 26-man collection of Three Lions players for the tournament.
However, Shaw has not played football since February 18 when he started for United in the 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road against Luton Town.
Rasmus Hojlund's early brace proved to be enough to claim three points for Erik ten Hag's side, though Carlton Morris halved the deficit.
Shaw began that game at left-back, but was substituted early in the second half after picking up a hamstring injury and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.
Shaw has not featured since and faces a race against time to be ready for England's opening Group C clash against Serbia.
Shaw has now spoken on the decision to start that encounter against the Hatters, and has conceded both he and United's medical staff made a mistake in declaring him available to begin the clash.
Though he admits it was impossible to turn down Ten Hag when asked to play, he reflects that it would have been better to not play, having come off at the break of the club's previous game against Aston Villa.
He said: "I felt something against Aston Villa and came off at half-time.
"It’s kind of everyone’s fault. Partly my fault, partly medical staff, I think everyone would admit that.
"I didn’t train the whole week. The scan came back and there wasn’t too much there. But I didn’t train all week, then trained the day before the game. If the manager asks me to play, I’m never going to say no. I shouldn’t have played (at Luton)."
Shaw continued: "The circumstances were that I did push to do everything I can to be fit for United, and that's been my whole season, really. In my opinion, I was pushing to try and get back for the games and the final, and I think I pushed too hard.
"I would love to make the first game, but I don't want to rush too quickly because realistically I've only got one chance. If I feel something, then that's it. I don't want that to happen."
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Topics: England, Gareth Southgate, Injury, Luke Shaw, Manchester United, Football, Euro 2024
John McDougall