Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United‘s co-owner, has expressed his one fear as England prepares for its Euro 2024 final against Spain on Sunday.
The Three Lions have not been at their best during the tournament, but they have advanced to their second consecutive Euros final following a tense set of elimination games.
As Gareth Southgate‘s team prepares to face Spain, the England manager, in particular, must make many critical decisions over his starting lineup in Berlin.
The big call will be at left-back, with the fit-again Luke Shaw vying for a start over Kieran Tripper, who has deputised in the position throughout the tournament.
Shaw is anticipated to make a cameo off the bench at some point during the game, but reports indicate that Trippier will start the game.
Speaking before to the game, Ratcliffe did, however, imply that he was crossing his fingers that Shaw, who hasn’t started a game since February, would emerge victorious from the championship.
He told BBC Sport, “I sincerely hope you’re successful and I wish you all the best of luck on Sunday.”
Addressing Shaw directly, he joked: ‘Luke, please don’t pull your hamstring again.’
The INEOS exec also sent a message to Kobbie Mainoo who has enjoyed a breakthrough tournament having only made his England senior debut in March.
‘Kobbie, I think you’ve played with remarkable maturity for a 19-year-old – well done.’
Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, heaped further praise on the United midfielder and tipped him to score the game’s winner.
‘I just have a feeling about Mainoo and the final. That he is going to score and prove decisive,’ Rooney told The Times.
‘If you think of him in the tournament, he has got into good positions going forward and I think Spain will do their homework and close off space for Harry Kane, Foden, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham.
‘But that will leave space for a midfielder arriving late, and that Mainoo will get one from a cut-back.’