Manchester United’s stars are set to light up Euro 2024

The curtain has just closed on a topsy-turvy 2024 season for Manchester United, but attention has now turned to Europe’s premier international continental competition, the European Football Championship final. The finals will take place in Germany in June and July, the 17th^th edition of the event and there are plenty of United players who will be looking to make their mark with their national teams throughout the summer. Here we take a look at some of the players who are sure to have a big say in the outcome of the events.

England

As one of England’s biggest clubs, it’s no surprise that once again United’s players will contribute heavily to the national team’s prospects. Much focus has been on the players left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad – Marcus Rashford due to poor form and Harry Maguire due to injury – but there is excitement over who has been included. Nothing more, that young revelation Kobbie Mainoo, the young midfielder who left an indelible mark on the 2023/24 season and was one of the undoubted positives of an otherwise lackluster campaign, FA Cup victory aside. Mainoo’s performances for both club and country could well have been enough to push for a place in Southgate’s starting eleven, and that’s quite an achievement for a 19-year-old. United’s only other player in the England squad is left-back Luke Shaw. Shaw’s season has been severely disrupted by injury, but with Southgate lacking another option to cover the left side of the defence, high hopes will be placed on the United man to become (and remain) fit for tournament.

Scotland

Just the lone United man in Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad in the form of Scott McTominay. The midfielder has once again been a key man for United this season and Scotland’s hopes will rest heavily on his shoulders. A popular player at Old Trafford, many of the Old Trafford regulars will be hoping for a strong tournament for the Scot, who always gives his all for the United cause.

Portugal

Another nation that relies heavily on United’s talent is Portugal. United skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key cog in the Portuguese machine, while Diego Dalot has carved out a place for himself at right-back. Expect these two players to be pivotal to Portugal’s hopes in Germany.

Denmark

Another team that will have a distinct Old Trafford flavor to their Euro 2024 squad is Denmark. Semi-finalists four years ago (narrowly losing to England), coach Kasper Hjulmand has called up two Red Devils to help lead the Danish side this time around. Experienced midfielder Christian Eriksen will play a key role in the center of the park as usual, but many Danish hopes will be placed on young United striker Rasmus Højlund, who had a solid first season at Old Trafford following his big move from Atalanta .

Notable absences

As well as Rashford and Maguire missing from the England squad, there are other United representatives who will either consider themselves unlucky or simply disappointed not to be joining their team-mates at the football fiesta in Germany. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has had a good season at right-back but it is unfortunate that he is operating in a position where England are well stocked. Mason Mount was never a contender after an injury-hit season and poor form, while Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood were never really viable options for a number of reasons. Victor Lindelöf’s Sweden failed to qualify, as did Jonny Evans’ Northern Ireland. Donny van de Beek is well out of the Dutch picture after enduring a miserable spell in a United shirt and on loan, while Tyrell Malacia is out for the season with a serious knee injury. Outgoing Frenchmen Raphaël Varane, who has retired from French duty, and Anthony Martial, who has come out of international duty well, will also not feature.

What do the bookmakers say?

England and Portugal are among two of the favorites for the Euro 2024 crown with online sportsbooks. As for the top goalscorer at the event, United legend Cristiano Ronaldo is still among the favorites, incredibly, at the age of 39. Rasmus Højlund and Bruno Fernandes are the only current United players among the chances here, but they are far short of the list. It is worth checking out the betting offers for even better returns if these realities ring true. If you fancy taking a punt on player of the tournament, again Fernandes is the most viable option, although United fans may be more attracted to the young player of the tournament award, with both Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund among the main contenders. Much interest, then, from a United perspective.