SHAW WILL BE HARD
Ryan faces Zlatan again UNHAPPY HAMMERS
RYAN SHAWCROSS has been told to exorcise the ghost of the man who wrecked his England career in 16 minutes.
The Stoke defender made his one and only international appearance as a late second-half substitute against Sweden.
But Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave him the debut from hell.
The Swede scored three of his four goals in a 4-2 win while being marked by Shawtationse-cross, including a 30-yard bicycle kick.
That was four years ago and Shawcross hasn’t been near an England squad since.
They meet again at Old Trafford tomorrow when Stoke visit Manchester United.
Shawcross has previously said: “I don’t think many other defenders have stopped him. I was against one of the best strikers in the world who was on a hot streak.”
Now he has been told to put that night to bed. Stoke boss Mark Hughes said: “It’s an ®
Hot
® opportunity for Ryan. He’s had to carry those moments for a very long time.
“Clearly what happened has affected people’s view of him as a potential international on a more regular basis.
“He’ll relish the opportunity, why wouldn’t he? He has the opportunity to play well and lay some ghosts to rest.”
Hughes thinks everything conspired against Shawcross in Stockholm, adding: “It was under difficult circumstances. It’s more difficult for a centre-half as a sub.
“Ibrahimovic was on fire, he scored four goals. That’s some kind of level.”
Stoke haven’t won at Old Trafford since 1976 and since being promoted in 2008, they have lost all eight meetings.
“It will be good to go there and change that round,” said Hughes.
“I hear Shay Given was a day old the last time we got anything there, so that shows how long it was. But records are there to be broken so why not?”