Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw not fit for Under-21 Euros says Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate has bemoaned the absence of Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw in his England squad for the Under-21 European Championships.

Shaw has been omitted from the initial 27-man group for the finals in the Czech Republic after a season dominated by injury following his summer 2014 move from Southampton to Old Trafford.

The 19-year-old has made just 15 Premier League starts amid a campaign where he has suffered nine separate injuries, including the facial problem that forced him out of the 1-1 draw with Arsenal and is likely to curtail his season.

"I've spoken with Louis and Luke's situation was monitored," Southgate told reporters upon the announcement of his squad.

"Luke was always very keen to come and Louis was supportive, but medically he was not fit to come. I knew that last Friday. It's a shame, but we were always going to lose somebody.

United manager Louis van Gaal had publicly stated he wanted Shaw to miss the championships due to his ongoing injury problem.

"When he is not playing for United he cannot play for other teams," the Dutch coach said. "He needs that rest I think, because he has over-crossed his limits, and that's why.

"He's 19 years old, what do you expect? We have to protect him and I hope that the coach of the Under-21s is understanding for that reason."

The omission of Shaw is a major boost for both the player and United, after a harrowing 12 months for the left-back. After making one appearance for England during the 2014 World Cup, Shaw's fitness was called into question going into the campaign by Van Gaal.

Absent for the first four weeks of the season, Shaw was forced to wait until September for his United debut but the England international would go on to endure a disrupted first term at Old Trafford.

His absence from Euro 2015 means Shaw will undergo a uninterrupted pre-season and be fully prepared for the rigours of next season, which is likely to end with his inclusion in the senior England squad for the European Championships in France.