October 10th 2024.
Lee Carsley has made a significant change to the England squad this week, breaking a long-standing tradition that has been in place for 48 years. As the Three Lions prepare to take on Greece in the Nations League, there is a noticeable absence in the team - something that has been a constant since 1976.
The upcoming match is sure to be an emotional one, as the news of former Premier League star and Greece international George Baldock's passing has shaken the football community. It will be a difficult game for England, but they will also have to face Finland on Sunday as they aim to maintain their unbeaten record under interim manager Carsley.
Having taken over as head coach of the England Under-21s, Carsley has wasted no time in putting his own stamp on the squad. Last month, he handed debut senior call-ups to Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White, showing his willingness to give young players a chance on the big stage.
In a surprising turn of events, Carsley's latest England squad has made history by not including a single player from Manchester United - a first since 1976. This is due to Kobbie Mainoo's withdrawal from the squad due to a minor hamstring injury, leaving the Red Devils without representation in the national team.
The absence of United players doesn't end there, with regular international squad member Harry Maguire also unavailable due to an injury sustained in last weekend's game against Aston Villa. Luke Shaw, who has been plagued by injuries, is also not in contention for a call-up.
England's injury woes continue with captain Harry Kane, who picked up a knock while playing for Bayern Munich over the weekend. While he will not start against Greece, there is a possibility that he could make an appearance in the game against Finland on Sunday. Carsley has made it clear that they will not take any risks with Kane's fitness, and his involvement in either game will depend on how he responds to treatment.
Despite the setbacks, Carsley remains hopeful and is not ruling out Kane's involvement in the upcoming matches. However, he is also aware that it is important not to rush the striker's recovery and risk further injury. As the team prepares for the games ahead, they will have to do so without any Manchester United players, a rare occurrence in the history of the national team.
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