It is set to be a busy summer for several Manchester United players at Euro 2024. After the FA Cup final against Manchester City, they will meet up with their respective national team’s camps.
Here is a look at who will be in action this summer at the European Championship and the chances of a United player lifting the trophy.
Bruno Fernandes and Diego Dalot – Portugal
Portuguese duo Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot are both important players for their national team. Between them, they have accumulated 81 caps. They will be hoping to help Portugal win the European Championship for a second time in three editions, and they are amongst the leading contenders again this year.
Fernandes does not have to worry about captain duties when playing for Portugal as that responsibility goes to former United star Cristiano Ronaldo. The midfielder has scored 14 goals for his country over the last three years.
At United, some of pondered if the captaincy has weighed too heavily on Fernandes, who has only shown moments of brilliance in 2023/24. However, he ended the campaign on a major high, playing a starring role in United’s 2-1 FA Cup Final win over rivals, Manchester City. He created United’s second for Kobe Mainoo which set the Red Devils on their way to an unexpected victory.
Dalot goes into Euro 2024 on the back of arguably his best season since arriving at Old Trafford from Portuguese club Porto in 2018. He played 49 matches in all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign, which was bettered only by goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo – England
It looked likely that there would be at least four Manchester United players in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024, with Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, and Harry Maguire all expected to get the nod. This quartet are experienced at international level and have been regulars at major tournaments for the Three Lions.
However, fitness concerns saw Southgate rule out Maguire from selection. Meanwhile Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount also fell by the wayside, with both players not playing enough games at club level this season to warrant selection. However, Luke Shaw wasn’t the only Red Devil on the plane to Germany. Rookie midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo, made the cut after shining in his breakout season for United. He could end up playing in England’s three-man midfield. As for Shaw, the left back is still battling back to fitness himself and may not be ready to play until the end of the group stage.
England head into Euro 2024 as the 7/2 favourites in the outright betting with the major bookmakers. If you are looking to place a bet on England this summer, consider the leading Euro 2024 betting offers available before doing so, as you may be able to pick up a free bet of up to £50 with bookmakers such as Betfred and Copybet.
With Shaw not seemingly ready to start England’s first group stage game against Serbia, Southgate is likely to opt for Kieran Trippier to deputise. Although Trippier’s strongest position is right back, he’s still a more than capable operator on the opposite flank, with the option to play more inverted and utilise his right foot.
Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund – Denmark
Five-time Danish Football Player of the Year Christian Eriksen has played 128 times for Denmark, with his first major tournament coming back in 2010 at the World Cup in South Africa.
Denmark are considered one of the dark horses for Euro 2024. They reached the semi-finals of the European Championship four years ago where they were eliminated by England in extra time. In what may be his last major tournament for his country, Eriksen will be doing all he can to help them go at least one stage place further this year.
Eriksen will be joined in the squad by Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Scott McTominay – Scotland
United midfielder Scott McTominay is approaching his 50th game for Scotland and that could come at Euro 2024. The 27-year-old was a key player in Steve Clarke’s side as they qualified for their second consecutive European Championship.
In fact, without McTominay’s contribution, it’s unlikely that the Tartan Army would be travelling in their numbers to Germany this summer. McTominay, so often considered a defensive midfielder at United, scored seven goals in eight qualifying appearances, along with one assist.
Scotland are one of the underdogs competing at Euro 2024, so if they can get out of their group and qualify for the knockout stages, it will be deemed as a great success for the nation.
The opening game of Euro 2024 takes place on Friday, 14th of June when hosts Germany take on Scotland in Group A.