What can be learned from Euro 2024?

One thing that has clearly stood out is the fact that teamwork, character and organisation can go a long way, perhaps a point proven by Erik ten Hag's men upsetting the odds by winning the Emirates FA Cup final against Double-chasing Manchester City at Wembley.

When the stakes are high, the desire of sides like Georgia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Romania have ensured qualification for each of these nations.

Austria have impressed under our former interim boss Ralf Rangnick, while question marks hang over some of the pre-tournament favourites, who have failed to gel but, crucially, are still in the mix as we reach the knockout stages.

There are suggestions that most of the players look fatigued after demanding seasons in the top leagues, so maybe the task of breaking down organised opponents is even more problematic than usual.

Yet passion and patriotism have always been useful components in major finals, when the responsibility of representing your country enables individuals to raise their game to levels they might not have previously reached. Witness the togetherness of the Georgia players dancing through the mixed zone after their deserved 2-0 victory over Portugal and how such kinship can develop as the tournament unfolds.

While some of the fancied nations endure so much negativity in their domestic media, often with the viewpoint that they are letting everybody down, the feeling of support and belief back home can have the opposite effect and galvanise a squad.

And the criticism is not just the case for an underperforming England but other sides are also being lambasted, with Belgium in the firing line after failing to win their group and stumbling into a last-16 date with France on Saturday. 

I was fortunate enough to speak with former Bulgaria international Stiliyan Petrov this morning ahead of his participation in September's Legends match between Celtic and United at Old Trafford.

Naturally, the ex-Aston Villa midfielder shared his thoughts about what is happening out in Germany and offered a similar opinion.

"The smaller teams are showing more character, more desire and more compactness in the first three games," he said. "My favourites are Portugal, to be honest, even if they were not very convincing last night with too many changes. I'd like to see England go further. There are so many critics at the moment, about the performance, but it's about the big stage and everybody is prepared. Everybody wants to do well. It's not as easy as before. 

"You see Slovenia, Slovakia and Turkey. Their players are playing in the big leagues with big, big clubs. So they're prepared and they're ready. If you asked me before the tournament, who is going to be the favourites, I'd say Portugal or England. But, at the moment, when I've seen how everybody's performing and how well prepared they are, it will be difficult to choose."

Of course, for many of us, thoughts are already turning to the new season but how the remaining Reds perform in Germany is of great interest to any United supporter.

Scott McTominay was Scotland's sole scorer in Group A but Steve Clarke's men are out, leaving seven of his club team-mates still competing at the tournament. 

Christian Eriksen has twice been voted Player of the Match already and he and Rasmus Hojlund, seeking his first major tournament goal, must get past Germany in the round of 16. On Sunday, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo may both feature for England, as they tackle Slovakia.

Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes will probably expect to start for Portugal against Slovenia on Monday and Altay Bayindir is striving to regain the goalkeeper's spot for Turkey, as they meet Austria in the final match of this stage on Tuesday night.

It means United involvement on each of the four days but there could be that wider theme to glean from Euro 2024. As football systems and tactics continue to evolve, the edge can be gained from application, tenacity and sheer heart. If the Reds can engender similar spirit next term, as we clearly did in the cup final, then optimism will be high for 2024/25 as it could prove to be a formula to more success.

The opinions in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United Football Club.

WHEN ARE UNITED NEXT IN ACTION?

The Reds will return to the pitch on 15 July, when we face Rosenborg in Trondheim for our first pre-season game. Following a friendly against Rangers at Murrayfield, Edinburgh on 20 July, we'll fly out to the United States for Tour 2024, comprising three clashes with Arsenal (Los Angeles, 27 July), Real Betis (San Diego, 31 July) and Liverpool (Columbia, 3 August). You can buy tickets for all of our pre-season games here, subject to availability.