Lee Carsley was spotted at Old Trafford on Friday night watching on as Man United took on Fulham in their opening Premier League clash of the 2024-25 season.
The former Everton midfielder was appointed as England’s new interim manager after Gareth Southgate quit after the Three Lions suffered defeat in the final of Euro 2024 by Spain.
Carsley had previously managed England’s U21s side but will now lead the senior side out in the Three Lions’ upcoming Nations League matches against Ireland, Finland and Greece.
With the Three Lions set to be back in action as soon as September 7, Carsley will need to start thinking about selecting a squad and appears to be keeping an eye on several United stars tonight at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Mason Mount were all notable omissions from Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad and Carsley will no doubt have each in mind when looking to select his Nations League squad.
Following his omission, Rashford had taken to Instagram to wish the team good luck for the tournament.
‘Wishing Gareth and the boys all the best for the up and coming tournament,’ Rashford wrote on his social media channel.
Carsley has vowed to make the England job his own, having won the U21 European Championship back in 2023.
The former midfielder, who is set to appoint Ashley Cole as his No 2, is likely to make changes to the squad that reached the final in Germany this summer, with Liverpool’s Curtis Jones one player in consideration.
‘First and foremost it is getting the squad together, picking the right squad and trying to get a balance between making sure it is fresh and competitive while understanding that it is games we need to do well in and win,’ said Carsley.
‘Everything is in balance and that is what I’ll be looking to do. I think it is important we put our own stamp on the squad and make subtle adjustments but I think it is important to realise as well the players have done really well in the past and we have to acknowledge that.’
Marcus Rashford returned to Carrington for the first day of pre-season on Monday
Rashford, who endured a difficult 2023-24 campaign, failing to live up to his 30-goal haul of the previous season, returned to pre-season training at the beginning of July.
Maguire, meanwhile, was also omitted from Southgate’s squad to travel to Germany due to a calf injury, stating that he had been ‘devastated’ to not be available for selection.
‘I am devastated not to have been selected to play for England at the Euros this summer,” Maguire posted on social media.
‘Despite my best efforts, I have not been able to overcome an injury to my calf. Maybe I pushed myself too hard, to try and make it. Simply, I am absolutely gutted.’
Carsley, meanwhile, is hoping to strike up a relationship with his new squad of players, some of who he will have known from his days as England’s U21 boss.
‘I think it definitely helps I have a relationship with the players and have known them quite a few years,’ Carsley said.
‘There are a lot of players that I don’t know, but I’m very much aware of them. We’ve got some outstanding players in the senior team and in the pathway.
‘The level of player in the last few years has really improved, you can see that by the way we’ve done in major tournaments. The next step is winning and that has to be the objective.
‘The World Cup is two years away so it is important we see that in stages. First we need to set our stall out in the way we are going to attack the Nations League and make sure we do well in that and then lead us into the World Cup qualifiers.’
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