There has been much debate recently with regards to Luke Shaw's non-participation in this summers U21's European Championships, of course being a Manchester United player it added that extra bit of condemnation from supporters compared to other players who have and will withdraw because their clubs do not want them either burnt out, or injured...after all there is a very vocal and prominent anti-United brigade just licking their lips when we do anything.
We saw how a national newspaper, the countries most read - The Sun, rubbed their hands with glee and printed pictures of David Beckham to use on dart boards when he was declared the nations scapegoat. Phil Neville had the same venom from England supporters when he made a mistake in an England shirt and there has been other instances, so there is no love lost between people wanting to attack United through England and ourselves.
So lets look at the facts shall we?
A teenager who is deemed more of a full International rather than an U21 international was drafted in to an U21 tournament that England want to win, they believe that if they take these tournaments seriously it will improve the first teams mentality when these players step up to full internationals. Fair enough, except the fact that Luke Shaw has carried many knocks and injuries this season to the extent where even now he is not able to play for his club. You know, the same club that pays his weekly wages, paid the money that purchased the player and invest in his training and development. The same club that if Luke Shaw gets injured in the summer will be handed a small compensation package to cover any inconvenience...that is not taking into account the fact that after so many injuries the player could use a summer of recuperation in preparation for next season. Next season being that thing that happens between August and May and the reason why we pay wages for top players and promising prospects so we can actually win trophies.
Manchester United does not operate for England, nor should it, we should not be made to play second fiddle to England when they offer no financial assistance in wages or transfers yet have the power to force a player to play for his country against his or his clubs wishes. Luke Shaw's development benefits England and that will come from playing in the top European stadiums against some of the worlds best players in the Champions League and playing weekly in the Premier League. This summers international tournament and winning it or players getting experience in it is not vitally important, after all I don't recall much talk about 'Joe Bloggs' not being nervous in a Premier league title run in because several years ago he won the FA Youth Cup.
The U21 European Championships will give good experience but no more so than a competitive derby match with a hostile crowd at your back, or a Champions League match, which is why it is perfect for players who will not get a taste for European midweek football or a regular top flight starting berth...but for players like Shaw and Sterling it offers nothing but fatigue and the possibility of injury stalling any progress while they are out in the treatment room.
As for England, until clubs are relieved of paying weekly wages and transfer fee's so Football Associations take over the financial burden then they should have no rights over a clubs employee's.
We saw how a national newspaper, the countries most read - The Sun, rubbed their hands with glee and printed pictures of David Beckham to use on dart boards when he was declared the nations scapegoat. Phil Neville had the same venom from England supporters when he made a mistake in an England shirt and there has been other instances, so there is no love lost between people wanting to attack United through England and ourselves.
So lets look at the facts shall we?
A teenager who is deemed more of a full International rather than an U21 international was drafted in to an U21 tournament that England want to win, they believe that if they take these tournaments seriously it will improve the first teams mentality when these players step up to full internationals. Fair enough, except the fact that Luke Shaw has carried many knocks and injuries this season to the extent where even now he is not able to play for his club. You know, the same club that pays his weekly wages, paid the money that purchased the player and invest in his training and development. The same club that if Luke Shaw gets injured in the summer will be handed a small compensation package to cover any inconvenience...that is not taking into account the fact that after so many injuries the player could use a summer of recuperation in preparation for next season. Next season being that thing that happens between August and May and the reason why we pay wages for top players and promising prospects so we can actually win trophies.
Manchester United does not operate for England, nor should it, we should not be made to play second fiddle to England when they offer no financial assistance in wages or transfers yet have the power to force a player to play for his country against his or his clubs wishes. Luke Shaw's development benefits England and that will come from playing in the top European stadiums against some of the worlds best players in the Champions League and playing weekly in the Premier League. This summers international tournament and winning it or players getting experience in it is not vitally important, after all I don't recall much talk about 'Joe Bloggs' not being nervous in a Premier league title run in because several years ago he won the FA Youth Cup.
The U21 European Championships will give good experience but no more so than a competitive derby match with a hostile crowd at your back, or a Champions League match, which is why it is perfect for players who will not get a taste for European midweek football or a regular top flight starting berth...but for players like Shaw and Sterling it offers nothing but fatigue and the possibility of injury stalling any progress while they are out in the treatment room.
As for England, until clubs are relieved of paying weekly wages and transfer fee's so Football Associations take over the financial burden then they should have no rights over a clubs employee's.