Five Reds remain in Euro 2024 contention

Wednesday 03 July 2024 12:43

Manchester United still have five players competing at Euro 2024 as we reach the last eight of the competition.

The quarter-finals take place across Friday and Saturday in Germany, as the pursuit of the Henri Delaunay trophy hots up.

After two of the favourites, Spain and Germany, meet in Stuttgart, Portugal face France in another absolute cracker in Hamburg. Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes will look to help Roberto Martinez's side build on their dramatic penalty shootout success against Slovenia in the round of 16.

Dalot performed well in the shock defeat to Georgia but was surprisingly left on the bench throughout the goalless draw on Monday night.

Joao Cancelo, however, was also very good against Slovenia and there are a wealth of options available to Martinez.

Bruno Fernandes makes no mistake with his penalty.

Fernandes kept his customary composure to fire a no-look spot-kick past Jan Oblak, en route to a 3-0 success in the shootout, and he will again shoulder a lot of the creative responsibility, with former Red Cristiano Ronaldo out to get off the mark in the tournament in attack.

Ronaldo, of course, had a penalty saved by Oblak in extra-time, before going on to convert Portugal's first effort after the final whistle.

France will provide stern opposition, even if Les Bleus have not been at their best in Germany, but everybody will be glued to the 20:00 BST encounter.

On Sunday, at 17:00 BST, England take on Switzerland in Dusseldorf, following a very narrow escape against Slovakia.

Jude Bellingham's dramatic overhead kick, in the dying seconds, forced extra time and Harry Kane's header proved to be the winner. Kobbie Mainoo did well again on the big stage and the teenager can be expected to keep his place in midfield, even if manager Gareth Southgate does decide to make changes.

One of the alterations to the XI could be a first appearance at the tournament for Luke Shaw. The defender has not played since February but is desperately trying to prove his fitness to represent the Three Lions, after scoring in the Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley.

Kieran Trippier has been operating at left-back, while Marc Guehi's suspension means there will definitely be at least one change in defence, with Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa probably favourite to deputise.

Mainoo is one of the players who would miss a potential semi-final if he is booked on Saturday, along with team-mates Bellingham, Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher and Trippier.

Tom Heaton, who signed a new one-year contract at United on Tuesday, is with the England squad as a training goalkeeper.

Kobbie Mainoo was excellent in the victory over Slovakia.

Saturday's later game sees the Netherlands come up against Turkey in the German capital Berlin.

Altay Bayindir was an unused substitute as his fellow keeper Mert Gunok pulled off an astonishing save at the death to preserve Turkey's 2-1 lead over Austria on Tuesday night.

The United man did play in the defeat to Portugal and will be hoping his country can reach the last-four stage, matching their best achievement in the European Championship from 2008.

Best of luck to each of the Reds still participating at the tournament.

Altay Bayindir has his arms aloft as Turkey celebrate reaching the quarter-finals.

EURO 2024 QUARTER-FINALS

Friday
Spain v Germany (17:00 BST)
Portugal v France (20:00 BST)

Saturday
England v Switzerland (17:00 BST)
Netherlands v Turkey (20:00 BST)

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