Manchester United’s interim boss Michael Carrick has publicly urged England manager Thomas Tuchel to consider three of his key players for the upcoming World Cup squad.
MICHAEL Carrick has called on England manager Thomas Tuchel to select Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo for the upcoming friendlies. The interim United boss believes their current form warrants a place in the squad for matches against Japan and Uruguay later this month.
No Manchester United player has been selected by Tuchel since he took charge of the national team in January 2025. Marcus Rashford’s recent call-ups came only during his loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona, highlighting the club’s diminished international influence.
Carrick is hoping to change that trend ahead of the World Cup in North America. Tuchel will name his squad on Friday for the final pre-tournament friendlies on home soil.
Maguire, with 64 caps, last played for England 18 months ago. Mainoo, who has 10 appearances, last featured in the same Nations League match against Ireland in September 2024.
Shaw, like Mainoo, started in the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. All three have been instrumental in United’s revival, starting every match under Carrick and helping the team climb to third place.
“For the boys, I’d love to see them picked for this one and obviously picked for the summer,” Carrick told reporters. He confirmed he has not been in direct contact with Tuchel regarding selections.
“I don’t have any influence on that but certainly the boys, the way they’re playing, I think they’ve put themselves right in the conversation,” Carrick added. “The boys are definitely playing well enough to warrant a place, for sure.”
Tuchel previously denied any bias against United players last August. Mainoo’s absence was partly explained by a lack of game time, having not started a Premier League match for four months prior to Carrick’s arrival.
The 20-year-old midfielder has since rediscovered his form. “Not having a lot of football for a period of time, to come in and play a run of games and find your rhythm, I think he did that really quickly,” Carrick said of Mainoo.
Carrick emphasised that Mainoo’s development is ongoing. “Of course he can always improve, and on a lot of things, just the age he’s at just for starters,” he stated. “There’s so much more to come and develop, and that’s just natural.”
The Sun Malaysia
