Man Utd and Arsenal may benefit from England losing Euro 2024 final

Manchester United and Arsenal may benefit from England’s failure to dispatch Spain in the Euro 2024 final as their Three Lions stars will be able to head straight off on their holidays before returning to club action fresh and ready to play in the Premier League. The Spanish team defeated England 2-1 in Berlin on Sunday to lift the European Championship trophy for a record fourth time.

Gareth Southgate’s side fell behind to a Nico Williams strike in the showpiece match after the winger slotted home in the early stages of the second half.

Cole Palmer fired in an equaliser from the edge of the box with 17 minutes remaining, before Mikel Oyarzabal popped up with a winner in the 86th minute as England had their hearts broken.

Spain partied into the night as they celebrated their triumph, with Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella seen dancing on a table as he sang a song about Erling Haaland. But, in contrast, the England stars clearly have no need to let their hair down and party.

If the Three Lions had clinched the trophy, they may have been involved in parades and other events back in England and would have no doubt been forced to speak to a whole host of broadcasters and newspapers to offer their take on the events.

But the players will instead head in separate directions for a short break, before slowly shifting their attentions back to club football.

United duo Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo both started Sunday’s final, with Arsenal pair Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka also selected from the outset. Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, meanwhile, was part of the England squad in Germany as well, although he didn’t feature.

The Red Devils will now give their England stars some time away from the pitch to recuperate, as will Arsenal.

And bosses at the two clubs will expect their aces to be revitalised and full of energy ahead of the new campaign.

United and Arsenal will go head-to-head in a pre-season friendly in Los Angeles on July 28 as both clubs travel to the USA for a pre-season tour. None of the England players are expected to feature in North America, although they should all be available when the new Premier League season gets underway.

United will be involved in the top-flight curtain-raiser when they take on Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday, August 16 at 8pm.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will host Wolves in their first Premier League clash of the season at 3pm the following day.