LUKE SHAW is targeting a place in this summer’s Euros after a return to form for Manchester United.
The Red Devils full-back, 24, has been part of a team that has now enjoyed five clean sheets in the last six games.
Luke Shaw is aiming for a spot in England’s Euro 2020 squad after a return to formCredit: PA:Press Association
Shaw has been integral in that either as left-back or part of a three-man central defence.
He was in fine form again on Sunday as United enjoyed a 3-0 win over Watford to move up to fifth place in the Premier League.
And now he’s hoping England boss Gareth Southgate has noticed the impact he’s had.
Shaw, who faces competition from the likes of Ben Chilwell, Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose, said: “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it, but, you know, I’ve got to keep working hard, keep my head down and whatever happens happens.
“But, of course, it’s everyone’s dream to be involved in the Euros.
“I’m just going to keep my head down, keep working. At the end the day it’s not down to me, it’s of course down to Gareth and I’ll respect whatever he decides.”
Shaw has eight caps and was part of Roy Hodgson’s squad for the 2014 World Cup but has made only four appearances since then.
He last played in September 2018 in a 2-1 defeat to Spain.
I’ll play anywhere and the most important thing is, you know, to help the team and to enjoy football.
Luke Shaw on his upturn in form
Injuries have plagued him but the 24-year-old is getting back to his best again and credits extra work done by United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the defensive unit for that.
He said: “I think we’ve been working on it a lot in training, the new shape that we can be more sort of compact and more sort of stronger in defence and we have been doing that.
“I think I’m learning different things in that back three role.
“Sometimes things that you don’t really get at left-back maybe because you’re a bit more wider but I’m sort of more central.
“I’m really enjoying that sort of left of the three, but I’ll play anywhere and the most important thing is, you know, to help the team and to enjoy football.”
The emergence of 19-year-old Brandon Williams from the academy has put pressure on Shaw’s place but the pair have also played together when Solskjaer reverts to that three at the back.
Shaw said: “It’s something good for the team that you know there’s competition in places.
“But on the other hand, he’s an amazing talent and he’s still very young, he’s still learning of course. But the same as me, I’m still learning.
“But we’ve showed that we can also play together and I love to play with him. We played a couple of times now and we played well together.
“I’m learning what he does and, you know, he knows what I do, so it’s a good partnership to play in.
“But of course we all love competition and we all love to push each other and I’ll help him as much as he can to develop into a great player that he can be.”
Sunday was a special day for new signing Bruno Fernandes who was involved in all three goals, including winning and scoring the opening penalty.
The £55million signing from Sporting Lisbon has won rave reviews in his four appearances so far to the delight of his teammates.
Shaw said: “”It shows someone’s quality when they come in and they find it so sort of easy to adapt straightaway.
“Of course 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’s fit in well and of course he’s fitted in even better on the pitch so hopefully he can continue doing that and keep pushing us forward.”
United’s victory on Sunday put them back above Spurs and Sheffield United into fifth as they seek a Champions League place for next season.
Shaw said: “We want to get into the top four and of course we’re still in competitions, so there’s still trophies to win.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
