Aheed Abrar
Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw featured for England in their defeat to Italy
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw featured for England in their defeat to Italy, via the Three Lions on Twitter (h/t Manchester Evening News). The Manchester United duo played a part as Gareth Southgate’s side suffered relegation from their UEFA Nations League Group A3.
England suffered a 1-0 defeat, with the sole goal being scored by Napoli forward (On loan from Sassuolo) Giacomo Raspadori. Maguire started the game for Gareth Southgate’s side while Shaw came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute, replacing Kyle Walker.
England sit bottom of their group, which consists of Hungary, Italy and Germany. After five games played, the Three Lions have garnered just two points. Southgate’s side have drawn two and lost three fixtures played so far.
Germany are England’s next opponent on the final matchday of this edition’s Nations League group stage. A win over Die Mannschaft would be of no consequence in terms of surviving relegation. Southgate’s side will only be fighting for pride.
Maguire and Shaw are two players who the Three Lions’ fans do not believe deserve a place in the England squad. The United duo have not been regulars under Erik ten Hag.
The English centre-back and left-back have not started in the Premier League for the Red Devils since the 4-0 loss to Brentford. United conceded four goals in the opening 35 minutes on their visit to the Gtech Community Stadium.
However, Southgate trusted the two during Euro 2020. Maguire and Shaw figured prominently for the Three Lions in their run to the final. Unfortunately, England fell short at Wembley Stadium, losing on penalties to Italy.
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Ten Hag seems to have found his preferred options in the backline. And the English duo, for the time being, do not feature in it. So will Southgate pick Maguire and Shaw as regulars in Qatar even if they sit on the bench mostly at United? Only time will tell.
