Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has said that the England U21 side is looking in very good shape ahead of the upcoming European Championships.

The Young Lions managed to back their tag as one of the favourites to win the U21 Euro2015 later this year by recently claiming a fine 3-2 victory over the talented German team and many in England are extremely optimistic that Gareth Southgate's side can do well in the Czech Republic.

One of the many people confident of England's chances is former midfielder Scholes. The ex-United star has hailed the quality of the U21 side and stated his belief that the side's label as one of the favourites is more than justified.

Scholes wrote in his column for the London Evening Standard: 'Carl Jenkinson had a good game against the Germans. James Ward-Prowse's delivery from set-pieces looks excellent to me. And I think Danny Ings has come on a lot. He is a better player than I gave him credit for at first. He missed a good chance in the game but his movement is very good.

'And on top of these players there are the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley, Harry Kane and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Even Jack Wilshere and Phil Jones would be available.

'So many times England have been a short price for tournaments when you knew really that they would struggle to win them. For once their position as second favourites feels realistic.'