Louis van Gaal said Luke Shaw should skip the European Under-21 championships this season after suffering an injury-hit first year at Manchester United.
The left-back was stretchered off in United's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday and will not play for them again this season.
Van Gaal believes the 19-year-old should not be picked in Gareth Southgate's party for the June tournament in the Czech Republic.
Shaw, who was in England's World Cup squad last summer, said in October that he was keen to go to the European Championships, but Van Gaal feels the teenager has been overworked this year and should not travel.
"No, I don't think so because when he is not playing for Manchester, he cannot play for other teams either," the coach said in a news conference. "He needs that rest, I think, because over-crossed his limits and that is why and he is 19 years old. What can you expect? So we have to protect him and I hope the coach of under-21s understands that."
Shaw, who cost an initial £27 million when he joined from Southampton in June, has suffered from several injuries, including two hamstring problems, as he has been limited to 20 appearances for United.
The left-back arrived as part of United's last summer spending spree but Van Gaal shrugged off suggestions he will move for Real Madrid's Gareth Bale and Tottenham top scorer Harry Kane this summer.
"You can mention a lot of names," he added. "I have seen I buy everyone in the world but it is not like that."
United have already agreed to make PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay their first summer signing but Van Gaal said he is more interested in compiling a balanced squad than focusing on names.
"I go more for the balance than the individual player," he explained. "It is not good that I have to change positions of players because there are players injured. We have to bring that balance back in our selection."