Luke Shaw makes shock start for England in Euro 2024 final as injury-plagued Man Utd man gets nod to face Spain ahead of Kieran Trippier

Shaw has been handed his first start for England in over a year when Gareth Southgate's side take on Spain in Sunday's European Championship final. The Manchester United left-back replaces Trippier in the starting XI at Berlin's Olympiastadion as the Three Lions seek to exorcise the demons of their showpiece defeat to Italy three years ago. Southgate has otherwise stuck with the same team that beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-finals, with captain Harry Kane leading the line once again.

Trippier started at left back in all six of England's previous games at the tournament, despite playing on the opposite side at club level for Newcastle. Southgate is said to be hopeful that Shaw will give his team 'more in-game flexibility' against Spain as a natural left footer, despite his lack of recent match action. The Man Utd man did feature off the bench in the knockout stage wins over Switzerland and the Netherlands, but has not started a game for club or country in 148 days, having been laid low with a hamstring injury back in February.

Shaw opened the scoring early on for England at Wembley in 2021, before Italy mounted a comeback and eventually won the final on penalties. The 29-year-old is determined to go one better this time around, as he told reporters: “It would mean everything. I think the bond we have here is extremely special. It’s not one I’ve been a part of before. I think everyone is so together, everyone is really close and it feels like a big family and for all of us to win it together would be, of course, a very special feeling.”

Shaw was also asked if he feels fit enough to play the full game against Spain, and potentially extra time. "It’s a case of taking it as it comes," he replied. "I said before the semis that I was ready to go – and we’ll just have to wait and see what happens."

Man Utd part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been among the celebrity figures to wish England luck for the final, but he also sent a hilarious warning to Shaw. The INEOS chairman said: "Luke, please don't pull your hamstring again!"