Former Man United coach insists Gareth Southgate should make a MAJOR change for England's Euro 2024 final... as he warns one star may not 'have the legs' against Spain

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A former Manchester United coach has insisted Gareth Southgate should make a significant change to his starting XI for Sunday's Euro 2024 final.

England once again found themselves trailing at the tournament when Xavi Simons fired the Netherlands in front just seven minutes into Wednesday's semi-final in Dortmund.

Harry Kane put the Three Lions back on level terms from the penalty spot just minutes later before substitute Ollie Watkins netted in the final minute to send Southgate's side into their second-ever Euros final.

Waiting for them in Berlin on Sunday is a Spain team that have looked dominant for much of the tournament, and former Man United coach Rene Meulensteen insisted Southgate needs to be bold with his selections.

Meulensteen insisted 'intensity' needs to be at the heart of England's approach against La Roja and suggested Kane should start the game on the bench.

Rene Meulensteen has warned Gareth Southgate should make a major change for England's Euro 2024 final

The former Manchester United coach insisted England will need to be actively pressing if they are to defeat Spain

'If you want to unsettle Spain, you need legs, energy and intensity,' he said on talkSPORT. 

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'So if you could start with another striker, you keep Harry on the bench because if the game settles down going into the second half and still Kane can get a good 30 or 45 minutes, and maybe extra-time and penalties, you bring him in later in the game.

Despite arguably not being at his best in Germany, Kane is still the tournament's joint-top scorer and has started all six games in England's run to the final.

Should Southgate opt to bring his captain on from the bench at the Olympiastadion, Watkins would likely be the one to take his place in the starting lineup, with Ivan Toney also in contention.

Meuelnsteen, who spent more than a decade at Old Trafford across two spells, added it is unlikely the Bayern Munich star doesn't start but insisted Kane may not 'have the legs' to assist in England's pressing efforts.

'I would make sure that they got players there in the midfield that can back them up and squeeze Spain.' He continued. 

Meulensteen insisted England should start with captain Harry Kane for the final in Berlin

'If you don't, because one player doesn't and Harry hasn't got the legs, they play around you.' 

After leaving United, Meulensteen briefly served as Fulham boss and currently serves as Graham Arnold's assistant with the Australian national team.