Gareth Southgate says he has never picked an England team “based on external reaction” and will not change tack despite Jordan Henderson facing a potential backlash from some fans for moving to Saudi Arabia. The 33-year-old this summer swapped the Liverpool captaincy for the Saudi Pro League, joining Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq in a controversial £12million deal. Henderson has been a high-profile supporter of LGBTQ+ rights during his time on Merseyside and this week apologised for any hurt he caused by moving to a country where homosexuality is illegal. The midfielder hoped his move to Saudi Arabia can help the LGBTQ+ rights movement and is now set to feature in his first international match since joining Al-Ettifaq when England face Ukraine in Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifier in Wroclaw. Asked if the potential for a negative reaction towards Henderson impacts his thinking, Southgate said: “No, I don’t pick the team based on external reaction as you’ll be well aware over the course of seven years. “But he’s a very experienced professional. He is very mature at handling any situation, really. “He’s trained really well this week, the whole group have. I’ve been really pleased with the approach to everything. Everybody is available, which is good for us.” I don’t pick the team based on external reaction as you’ll be well aware over the course of seven years. Gareth Southgate Joe White, the co-chair of LGBTQ+ fan groups network Pride in Football and founder of Three Lions Pride, last week said they did not believe Henderson would receive a hostile reception from LGBTQ+ supporters. However, they warned that his presence could see some fans turn their back on the midfielder “in the same way he turned his back on us” – something Henderson said it hurt to hear. “Well, I think Jordan expressed himself this week that he’d be sad if that’s how they felt,” England boss Southgate said. “His feeling towards that community hasn’t changed. “I think as a team… I am sure all of our fans are going to get behind the team when the game starts. “I understand some of the comments that have been, and I respect the comments that have been made. “But I think what’s also been said is that they’re going to get behind the team when we play, and I am sure they’ll get behind Jordan when the game starts as well.” Southgate has a 24-strong squad to select from against Ukraine, with England looking to all but secure qualification for Euro 2024 by claiming a fifth straight Group C win. The Polish city of Wroclaw is playing host to the match as Ukraine continue to stage matches outside of their homeland following the Russian invasion last year, with a yellow and blue wall awaiting England at the Tarczynski Arena. “We know of course hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are living here so we’re expecting a very passionate and partisan support for their team,” Southgate said. “We are used to playing in that sort of environment. “We’re of course respectful of the occasion, but our job is to come here and attempt to win a football game. “So, for us making sure we keep the emotions in check and make sure that we’re focusing on our job.” Southgate added: “I can’t talk on a broader perspective but football-wise it’s just a difficult game for us. “A team we respect a lot, some players that have played in England that some of the players know very, very well. “We know that we have to be at our very best to get the win that we want.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell tons help New Zealand beat England in first ODI Harry Kane admits his German ‘hasn’t really come along’ since Bayern Munich move Andrew Flintoff watches England-New Zealand ODI from team balcony

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Rachel Daly revealed her pre-match premonition about England team-mate Lauren James came true on Tuesday night after the Chelsea prodigy scored twice and picked up three assists in the 6-1 victory over China at the World Cup. James, 21, became the first England player of either gender to be directly involved in five or more goals in a World Cup match as the Lionesses clinched top of group D to set up a last-16 meeting with Nigeria in Brisbane on Monday. Daly was one of five Lionesses who got their names on the scoresheet at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium, where boss Sarina Wiegman switched to an inspired 3-5-2 system in the wake of an undisclosed knee injury to midfield maestro Keira Walsh. Versatile Daly, who happily occupied an unfamiliar left wing-back role in the shake-up, said: “I will just say one thing, last night (Monday) we were walking round the pitch and we have come out of here and there’s the ‘player of the match’ sign as you walk out. I said: ‘Have a look at that kid, because that will be you tomorrow night’. “That’s how much we back her! She is unbelievable. I have got no more words to say about her. She is growing and growing and the most important thing is we keep around her. “She is a young player at the end of the day and she’s learning every day. She can pick up little bits from the older players, but she is LJ – and she’s brilliant. 'Cheat code' as everyone is calling her. That's what she is Rachel Daly on Lauren James “She has got great technical ability, but those (goals) come out in training all the time. It’s nothing new for us. “Like I said the other day, it’s just nice for the rest of the world to see how good she is. ‘Cheat code’ as everyone is calling her. That’s what she is.” England only scored once in each of their first two group-stage victories, first through Georgia Stanway’s penalty against Haiti before James netted six minutes into her first World Cup start, ultimately enough for three points against Denmark. Tournament veteran Daly – who started every game of England’s European championship-winning campaign – had called for patience earlier in the week over concerns that the Lionesses were not living up to their world number four billing, particularly in attack against a Haiti side 49 places below them in FIFA’s world rankings. Others joined her, often accompanying the call with a reminder that this was not the same squad that lifted the trophy at Wembley 367 days ago, following the retirements of Ellen White and Jill Scott and injuries to Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and Leah Williamson. Walsh, who was also part of that triumph, remained at England base camp on Tuesday after it was determined she did not injure her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), though her status for the remainder of the tournament remains unclear. Daly said: “I think obviously there has been a lot of criticism about us not being ruthless enough. “I said we would grow into the games and it’s tournament football. It’s not about the first, second, third win, it’s how we grow into it. “We knew it would come and that it would only be a matter of time before we scored goals – and there were some unbelievable goals on display (against China). “I think (the formation change) is what tournament football is all about. We have got that in our locker now. “We know that we can do that system and keep growing and working on that. “We obviously can revert back to type with a 4-3-3. It’s another weapon in the armoury.”

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The Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are still discussing the legal points of what the ownership structure of Manchester United would look like after INEOS’ takeover of a 25 percent stake, having agreed on the broad principles of the purchase. The prospective deal has been described by those involved as one of the most complicated in the long recent list of football takeovers, due to the distinctive condition of the minority owner taking full control of the sporting side of the club. It is understood that Ratcliffe’s eventual football staff would not have to run major decisions past the Glazers, as has been the case for the last decade. The main legal terms that have to be settled now are exactly how the separation would work, particularly as INEOS has been insistent on a potential path to majority ownership through equity. That may involve compromise on both sides to get this crucial initial agreement over the line, which has slowed what has already been a glacial structure. The Independent has been told that negotiations on a minority stake have actually been taking place since May, with INEOS quickly realising that the Glazers had no real intention of selling outright. As regards the eventual football structure, there have been tentative private conversations, but Ratcliffe and his staff want to properly survey how the club works when they are in place before making firm decisions. That means any overt influence in January is unlikely, if the deal is even confirmed by then. Former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards is admired by INEOS, to go with talk of Paul Mitchell and Dougie Freedman. It is uncertain, however, whether Edwards would want to get back into football. Any such appointments would form a group feeding up to Jean-Claude Blanc under Ratcliffe, with input from Sir Dave Brailsford. As regards when confirmation may finally come, those involved are waiting for the green light, since the stock exchange has to be informed within 24 hours. The nature of the discussions so far, however, has taught everyone not to be definitive about timeframes. Read More Manchester United takeover reaches one-year mark with Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to secure stake Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold steps down as Ineos era nears Harry Maguire ‘showing he can do the job’ – Erik ten Hag Rumours: Sancho and Antony head up Man Utd’s 15-player sale list Who are the contenders to replace Stephen Kenny as Republic of Ireland boss? Manchester United handed Luke Shaw fitness boost ahead of Everton match

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 5, 2023--

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