As UEFA’s Euro 2024 begins on Friday 14th June, we wanted Red Devil Threads to be the place to check out how our Manchester United players are doing throughout the tournament. So keep checking back each day for updates on our eight players representing five different countries at the tournament.
Scotland
Scott McTominay
Scotland kick the Euro 2024 tournament off with a tough game against the hosts Germany on the opening night. McTominay is expected to play the full 90 minutes for the tartan army against the German’s and keep his place for the games against Switzerland and Hungry in group A, a difficult group for the Scots to qualify from.
14th June – Germany 5-1 Scotland
Scott McTominay played all 90 minutes for the Scots in the embarrassing 5-1 record defeat by the Germans. This was the biggest win a German side has ever had in European Championships history. McTominay was largely a bystander in midfield as a strong German side smoothly passed through the extremely poor and panicked Scottish defence, time after time. McTominay tried to cover Toni Kroos over the 90 minutes, but didn’t get near the Champions League winner who completed 100% of his passes.
19th June – Scotland 1-1 Switzerland
Scott McTominay played the entire 90 minutes for Scotland and scored a great goal after a cut back from winger after only 13 minutes. It didn’t take long for Switzerland to equalise and then the Swiss looked the better team the rest of the game but never managed to seal a winner. Strangely all 6”4 of McTominay took all corners for the Scots and he was cautioned for dissent early into the second half.
23rd June – Scotland 0-1 Hungry
Scott McTominay played the full 90 minutes in the agonizing defeat to Hungary. Scotland were poor throughout and never managed to properly threaten the Hungarians, leaving them eliminated from the competition and finishing 4th in Group A.
England
Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw
Kobbie Mainoo has been rewarded with his amazing breakthrough season at United with a lot of playing time with England. The 19 year old has played 3 times already and will be expected to get some playing time under Gareth Southgate in Germany. Luke Shaw remains injured at this time and is not expected to play in the opening game against Serbia but will hope to return for the remaining group stage games against Denmark and Slovenia in group C.
16th June – Serbia 0-1 England
Neither Kobbie Mainoo nor Luke Shaw started for England. Since Shaw was not fully fit, Gareth Southgate preferred Kieran Trippier at left back. Kobbie Mainoo came on in the 86th minute for the man of the match, Jude Bellingham. However, with England holding onto a 1-0 lead at that point, he struggled to make an impact in the game so late.
20th June – England 1-1 Denmark
Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw didn’t play for England. Mainoo was an unused substitute, while Luke Shaw couldn’t make the bench due to his injury. As the tournament progresses, even if Shaw fully recovers, it would be unrealistic to expect him to be fit for a full 90 minutes. Given the media’s toxic reaction towards Gareth Southgate and his team after the Denmark draw, it’s beneficial for our young player, Mainoo, to remain distant from the intense negativity.
25th June – England 0-0 Slovenia
As expected, there were no minutes for Luke Shaw, who still appears to be struggling with his longstanding hamstring injury. England were poor, especially in the first half, leaving Gareth Southgate no choice but to change things up. Kobbie Mainoo came on for Conor Gallagher at halftime and impressed. The majority of fans and media are calling for the 19-year-old to start England’s next game on Sunday evening. England finished top of Group C.
30th June – England 2-1 Slovakia
Kobbie Mainoo started for England after some great substitute performances in the group stages. This made him only the third teenager to start an England tournament knockout game. England were extremely poor throughout the game, making Slovakia look like a world-class side, but Mainoo emerged as the shining star. The 19-year-old looked incredibly comfortable on the ball.
6th July – England 1-1 Switzerland (5-3 on penalties)
Kobbie Mainoo started for England playing a major role. Mainoo was the best player in the first half. He is strong and confidant on the ball and not afraid to go past players. Luke Shaw came on in the 78th minute for Mainoo for his first appearance in this tournament and his first bit of football since February.
10th July – Netherlands 1-2 England
Kobbie Mainoo started for England and played until the 93rd minutes. Luke Shaw came on at halftime for Kieran Trippier. Mainoo have an amazing game especially the first half where he looked really comfortable on the ball and controlled the play as he went forward. Shaw’s fitness looks to be improving as he gets more minutes on the pitch and could maybe be in with a chance of a place in the starting 11 for the final.
14th July – Spain 2-1 England
For the first time in the tournament both Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo started together for England. Shaw looked fit and strong especially coming back from a long spell out of action. He impressively won tackle after tackle up against 17 year old Spanish prospect Yamal for the entire first half. Kobbie Mainoo struggled to make an impact, forced to mainly concentrate on defensive duties before being substituted for England’s goalscorer Cole Palmer after 70 minutes as Gareth Southgate made his side more attacking.
Denmark
Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund
Kasper Hjulmand’s Euro 2024 Denmark squad boasts two amazing United players in Eriksen and Hojlund. Both are usual starters for the Danes who face Slovenia, England and Serbia in group C of the tournament.
16th June – Slovenia 1-1 Denmark
Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund both started for Denmark as they played out a 1-1 draw with Slovenia. Eriksen played the full 90 minutes, scoring a great half volley into the bottom left corner after a fantastic flick on from his team mate Jonas Wind. Eriksen was the stand out performer especially in the first half controlling everything in the centre of the park for the Danish. Hojlund was taken off after 82 minutes after a great save from Slovenia keeper Oblak from close range stopped him from scoring.
20th June – England 1-1 Denmark
Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund both started for Denmark in their 1-1 draw with England. Hojlund struggled again to get involved in the game again and was substituted for Yussuf Poulsen after 67 minutes. Eriksen again showed his class and made England’s midfield look poor throughout.
25th June – Denmark 0-0 Serbia
Both Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund started for Denmark in the nervy, goalless draw. The Danes had the most chances, with Eriksen controlling the game from midfield for 88 minutes before being taken off for Yussuf Poulsen. Rasmus Hojlund struggled to make any impact and was substituted after 59 minutes. Denmark went through to the last 16 of the competition, finishing second in Group C.
29th June – Germany 2-0 Denmark
Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Højlund played for Denmark in a challenging last 16 match against tournament hosts Germany. Højlund had several opportunities to score but kept making poor decisions, shooting directly at the keeper. He was eventually substituted after 80 minutes. Eriksen once again showed his skill and class, but ultimately, the Germans took their chances and moved on to the next round.
Portugal
Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot
Euro 2016 champions Portugal boast a squad full of talent including our own Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot under new boss Roberto Martinez. Both are expected to play in Portugal’s group F games against Czech Republic, Turkey and Georgia.
18th June – Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic
Both Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot started for Portugal. Fernandes played the full 90 minutes while Dalot came off after 63 minutes for Goncalo Inacio. Portugal dominated the entire game but struggled to find the back of the net. After going surprisingly 1-0 down in the second half, a Czech Republic own goal and an injury time rebound ensured one of the favourites took all 3 points in group F.
22nd June – Turkey 0-3 Portugal
Bruno Fernandes started for Portugal, while Diogo Dalot was an unused substitute for this game. Fernandes was a key player for the Portuguese, contributing significantly throughout the game. The Turks, however, undermined their efforts with a costly own goal, allowing Portugal to end the game as a contest. In the second half, Cristiano Ronaldo broke through on goal and selflessly passed the ball to Fernandes, who calmly slotted it into the empty net to seal the win.
26th June – Georgia 2-0 Portugal
With Portugal already through to the next stage of the competition Bruno Fernandes was rested while Diogo Dalot was back in the starting eleven. Portugal went one goal down after 93 seconds. The game ended up becoming the Ronaldo whining show as things went against the Portuguese. But in the end Portugal go through as Group F winners.
1st July – Portugal 0-0 Slovenia (3-0 on penalties)
Bruno Fernandes played all 120 minutes and successfully converted a penalty, helping Portugal advance to the quarterfinals on penalties. Diogo Dalot, though an unused substitute, was seen on television consoling a distraught Ronaldo, who missed a late penalty that could have sealed the win in extra time.
5th July – Portugal 0-0 France – (3-5 on penalties)
Bruno Fernandes played 75 minutes as Portugal wen out of the tournament on penalties. In a poor game overall Bruno failed to make any impact before being taken off for Francisco Conceicao. As the game got closer to the end and into extras time it looked like both sides were happy to settle for penalties. Diogo Dalot was an unused substitute.
Turkey
Altay Bayindir
Our second choice keeper, Altay Bayindir has been named as one of three goalkeepers in Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella’s squad in Ugurcan Cakir, Altay Bayindir and Mert Gunok. It is unknown if Bayindir will play many minutes for Turkey who’s manager currently looks to Cakir as the first choice between the sticks, however he does like to change his goalkeepers regularly. Turkey are in group F, facing Georgia, Portugal and Czech Republic.
18th June – Turkey 3-1 Georgia
Unfortunately Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella chose Mert Gunok to play in goals and completed the full 90 minutes in the victory over Georgia, leaving no space for our Bayindir.
22nd June – Turkey 0-3 Portugal
First choice keeper Gunok injured himself during training, so Bayindir played in goals for Turkey. Unfortunately he had a game to forget when he was found in the wrong position from a pass from defender Akaydin which ended up slowly rolling straight into the net for an own goal.
26th June – Czech Republic 1-2 Turkey
Turkey’s number one Gunok was back in goals after recovering from an injury that ruled him out of the last game leaving Altay Bayindir on the bench. Turkey go through as runners up of Group F.
2nd July – Austria 1-2 Turkey
Altay Bayindir was again an unused sub as Turkey and Austria played out one of the games of the tournament.
6th July – Netherlands 2-1 Turkey
Altay Bayindir was again an unused sub as Turkey bowed out of the tournament to a strong Netherlands side.
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