SHAW’S EURO DREAM
Luke hopeful of turning boss Southgate’s head
LUKE SHAW is refusing to give up on his England Euro 2020 dream.
The Manchester United defender has endured a frustrating time at international level since Gareth Southgate became boss in 2016.
Shaw has just eight caps despite making his international debut in 2014 as a promising 18-year-old and playing at the World Cup in Brazil that year.
Now 24, he won his last Three Lions cap against Spain in September 2018 and has only played 60 minutes for Southgate in total.
After pulling out of a succession of squads through injury he has found himself behind Danny Rose and Ben Chilwell in the pecking order at left-back.
Leicester’s Chilwell has now firmly established himself as England’s first choice, while Shaw has been battling it out with Brandon Williams at club level.
But with friendlies against Italy and Denmark at Wembley next month, Shaw is desperate for a recall to prove he is worth a spot in Southgate’s Euro squad for the tournament which gets under way on June 12.
Shaw said: “Obviously the rest of the season is most importantly about Manchester United at the moment.
“We want to get into the top four and, of course, we’re still in two competitions, so there’s still trophies to win.
“But I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about England.
I’ve got to keep working hard, keep my head down and whatever happens, happens. Of course, it’s everyone’s dream to be involved in the Euros.
“At the end of the day it’s not down to me, it’s down to Gareth and I’ll respect whatever he decides.”
Shaw, meanwhile, says United have signed a special talent in the shape of £67m man Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes has made an impressive start to life at Old Trafford following last month’s switch from Sporting Lisbon and scored his first United goal in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Watford from the penalty spot.
Shaw added: “It sort of shows someone’s quality when they come in and they find it so easy to adapt straight away.
“He’s done that and credit to him, he’s been brilliant so far.
“Even more so that he’s a really nice guy and that helps a lot.
“He fits in well and of course he’s fitted in even better on the pitch.
“Hopefully he can continue doing that and keep pushing us forward.”