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
Pep Guardiola in talks over first international management role
Danny Jones
Football icon and Manchester City legend Pep Guardiola is reportedly set for his first job since leaving the Etihad Stadium, as the Catalan head coach looks like he could be set to make his move into international management.
The generational manager, who has undoubtedly become one of, if not the greatest of all time, left Man City at the end of last season after a decade in East Manchester.
Stepping away from the sky blue side with 20 trophies in 10 years, he’s won pretty much everything there is to win – at least at club level, anyway.
With that in mind, multiple outlets are now claiming that Guardiola is getting ready to make his debut on the international circuit, already being heavily linked with a role as part of ‘gli Azzurri’.
EXCLUSIVE: The FIGC has met with Pep Guardiola to convince him to take over as national team head coach, according to Sky in Italy 🚨🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/qmzjunjur4
Yes, as per Sky News’ sporting arm over in Italy, Pep is now rumoured to be the next person to take the job in their national team, which would be his first proper senior position in international football.
According to Sky, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have already held meetings with the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City boss.
It remains unclear how advanced talks and/or negotiations have progressed up to this point, but it is said that fellow footballing veteran and AC Milan legend turned FIGC technical director, Paolo Maldini, has already travelled to meet the 55-year-old.
Believed to have been joined by former teammate and right-hand man Leonardo Araújo – who previously served as director at PSG – it looks to be more a case of whether Pep wants the job rather than if Italy want him.
From announcing a documentary series covering his final season at Man City, to even launching a dedicated ‘Decade of Pep’ fashion collection, it’s fair to say that both the club and the fan base are bidding a bittersweet goodbye.
Pep has already made it clear that he can’t see himself ever managing the Spanish national team, remarking: “I am a Catalan. I don’t see myself ever managing Spain.”
Meanwhile, other names rumoured as options for the Italian manager’s job include Andrea Pirlo and a return by fellow ex-MCFC boss, Roberto Mancini. Can you see Pep pipping any of these to the post?
As for his former club and ‘second home’, Cityzens will be glad to hear that while it may be all change over at the Etihad Campus, there is plenty to be hopeful about – including some steps more in the right direction when it comes to tickets.
England international and ex-Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan dies at 75
Danny Jones
Football veteran and legend of the English game, Kevin Keegan OBE, has sadly died at the age of 75.
A former Liverpool and Newcastle player, not to mention England international, turned Manchester City manager and even Three Lions boss, his death was announced on Monday, 20 July.
The news comes following a battle with illness since the start of the year, after it was revealed that he was tragically diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer back in January.
The original ‘King Kev’ before the likes of De Bruyne, also affectionately known in the footballing world as ‘Mighty Mouse’, is said to have passed away with key members of his close family by his side.
Confirmed via a public statement issued to Sky Sports journalist Pete Graves, they wrote: “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.
“The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments. “Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather.”
Put simply, he had an incredible career and leaves a lasting legacy.
It goes on to read: “The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time, and they are requesting space and privacy.”
Naturally, tributes are already flooding in online, with ex-pros, pundits and fans alike labelling him among England’s best-loved father figures and characters, with one user notably dubbing him as “one of football’s good guys.”
Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, after battling cancer.
The England, Liverpool and Newcastle United legend will be remembered as one of English football's most decorated players. pic.twitter.com/oNIPUV806n
Even at his fiery and most passionate best, he was still one of the most respected figures in the history of English football and the sporting world at large.
For instance, arguably his most iconic interview as Newcastle boss ahead of his team’s clash against Manchester United back in 1995/96 only showed how mild-mannered he often came across.
Our thoughts go out to his friends, family, former teammates and all those mourning the familiar face with a famously good head of hair.
Danny Jones -
19th June 2023 
