Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has been selected for the preliminary England squad for the upcoming European Under-21 Championships.
Lingard is included in the 27-man squad for the summer tournament, and impressed during a recent loan spell at Derby County. Limgard will now hope to remain the squad, when cut once more down to the final squad to travel with the team.
He will now join the likes of former Manchester United defender Michael Keane, and rumoured transfer targets Harry Kane and Danny Ings.
Some of the biggest news comes from Luke Shaw, after manager Louis van Gaal previously expressed he did not want the left-back to join Gareth Southgate’s side for the summer competition – which would exclude the youngster from his pre-season plans, while risking injury.
Despite the comments from the Dutchman, Southgate initially affirmed his role as the England Under-21 manager by selecting his best players for the opportunity to progress in the tournament. However, he has agreed to the comments of the United boss, and excluded him from the set-up
“When he is not playing for Manchester he cannot play for other teams neither,” van Gaal said in his pre-match press conference prior to his side’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
“He needs that rest. He over-crossed his limits and that’s why. He’s 19 years old – what can you expect?” the manager added. “We have to protect him and I hope that the coach of Under-21s is understandable of that reason.”
The Football Association announced the full squad on Wednesday, with the tournament commencing on June 17. England face a tough group of Italy, Portugal and Sweden, playing their first fixture in Czech Republic during the second day.
