Luke Shaw is having plenty fun while away with England and now the transfer window is open, spending the last couple of days toying with Man United fans and the media over who he’s been speaking to about potentially joining the club next season.
The Three Lions face off against North Macedonia at Old Trafford on Monday night and have been training down the road at United’s Carrington Training Complex for the past few days, during which time Luke Shaw looks to have had plenty of opportunity to show some of his national teammates around.
Shaw posted a suggestive little pair of pictures to his Instagram story on Saturday, posing for photos with Harry Kane and Declan Rice, along with an equally loaded emoji that has got fans hoping.
Understandably, a lot of Reds have now dubbed his ‘Agent Shaw’ and are keeping everything crossed.
Now, obviously, this is all a bit of tongue-in-cheek from the full-back, however, it’s no secret that both Kane and Rice are not only two of the most in-demand players in the Premier League and both expected to leave this summer, but they have been high up on United’s shortlist for some time now.
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Speaking to The Guardian, the 27-year-old confessed, ‘I can’t lie, I’d love a few of them to come to United’, adding that he, his teammates and manager Erik ten Hag would snap up the likes of Harry and Declan Rice “in a heartbeat”.
He did joke that “there’s a few” he’s been tapping up for a move — the reporter asking rumoured target Mason Mount was among them — but confessed it’s mainly just “a bit of banter” and the majority obviously have very little knowledge of what’s going on behind the scenes.
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On the other hand, he didn’t plead complete ignorance, going on to admit, “I can’t lie, I’d love a few of them to come to United… I am speaking to them and telling them how good Manchester is because I know their qualities. They’re world-class players and they’d add massive strength to us.”
🗣️ Reporter: "Luke [Shaw], who have you been tapping up then? Mason Mount?" 👀 pic.twitter.com/5RMfRW68U2
As for Shaw himself, having used the competition in his position to motivate and recement his place as the first-choice left-back, he told BBC Sport that he believes head coach ten Hag has “taken [him] to a new level… pushing [him] every day” and that he aims to improve even more next season.
For now though, Shaw and the players whose club future might be up in the air have to focus on international duty and making sure they qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany.
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England face off against North Macedonia at 7:45pm tonight and United fans will be hoping it isn’t the last time they see a few more of these players walk out at Old Trafford as part of the home side.
You can watch Luke Shaw and manager Gareth Southgate‘s press conference in full down below:
Featured Image — Beanyman Sports (via YouTube)/Luke Shaw (via Instagram)
Sport
Kyle Walker announces retirement from international football with England at 35
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City star and England defender has announced his retirement from international football at 35 years old.
He calls it a day for his country with nearly a century of appearances.
Kyle Walker, who has won six Premier Leagues, four Carabao trophies, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League title with Man City, made his national team debut back in 2011.
Now, nearly a full decade and a half later, he is hanging up his boots on the biggest stage, retiring as England’s most capped right back in history.
As you can see, he confirmed the news in a highlight video looking back on her best moments with the Three Lions.
Sharing a lengthy and emotional statement in the caption, the Yorkshireman wrote: “After more than a decade representing my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along, and I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup.”
His last appearance in an England shirt came in June against Senegal, since dropping out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice team and future plans, with both form and age no doubt being factored into that decision.
Walker added: “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.”
96 caps 🧢 Five major tournaments 🏴 A #ThreeLions legend ⭐
He went on to sign off by saying, “I also want to thank my family for their support every step of the way. They have made this journey even more special, and I will always be grateful to have shared it with them.”
The Sheffield-born fullback left Manchester last year following a loan spell at AC Milan, before joining fellow Premier League side Burnley FC permanently this past July.
Meanwhile, the Clarets are staring down relegation back to the Championship; however, this step will no doubt help Walker prolong his club career, whether or not he stays in Lancashire.
Where does Walker rank among the all-time England defenders in your mind?
Featured Images — Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons)/England (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French out for around four months with major muscle injury
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors player Bevan French has unfortunately been ruled out for roughly four months following a fairly serious muscle injury.
An important playmaker and cog in the wider team, his absence will surely be felt.
French, 30, is said to have suffered a hamstring tear during the win over Toulouse Olympique this past weekend, and while not as severe as a full rupture, Bevan has now been told by the club he will be sidelined for approximately 16 weeks, according to head coach Matt Peet.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after learning the news, he provided a number of updates from the physio room, including the latest on Jai Field, who French had been filling in for at fullback.
While Wigan are currently leading the Super League once again, they will be without one of their key Warriors with just under a dozen games left in the season.
The Greater Manchester club’s quadruple-winning boss and former Coach of the Year admitted that, despite some obvious disappointments in the immediate aftermath, his “positive” and “philosophical” attitude has already kicked in.
He’s quite philosophical, Bevan. He quickly flips a switch.
“Now he knows the timeframe and the schedule for his recovery, like most professionals, he can get his head down now and focus on the present”, said the 41-year-old.
The Australian stand-off/fly-half has regularly run the show in red and white, and even amid periods out of the squad, he remains an understandable fan favourite and integral part of the team when fit.
You only need to hear pundits and peers alike describing him as a “special” talent to know how much of a big miss he’ll be.
As mentioned, Peet also shed more light on Field, who dropped out with appendicitis last week and is himself set for around four to five weeks away.
For now, youngster Noah Hodkinson is being given the chance to fill the void and work his way into the first team after regularly impressing in the reserves.
Nevertheless, they could have really done with him ahead of their upcoming games.
Domestically, all three of Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens aren’t far behind them in the table, so it could prove to be a tasty remainder of the 2026 campaign.
You can watch the highlights from the result against Toulouse on Saturday, 7 March, here.
Danny Jones -
19th June 2023 
