Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has publicly endorsed three of his key players for a return to the England national team setup. With German manager Thomas Tuchel set to announce his squad on Friday for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, Carrick expressed his strong belief that defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, alongside young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, have compelling cases for selection.
Carrick Advocates for United Contingent
Speaking ahead of United's Premier League fixture against Bournemouth this Friday, Carrick made it clear he would be delighted to see the trio included. "For the boys, I'd love to see them picked for this one and obviously picked for the summer," Carrick stated. He emphasised that while he holds no direct influence over Tuchel's decisions, the players' recent performances have positioned them perfectly for consideration.
"I think they've put themselves right in the conversation and right in the picture and given themselves a chance," Carrick elaborated. "The boys are definitely playing well enough to warrant a place, for sure. It's just not my decision so we'll have to wait and see." The United boss confirmed he has not been in direct contact with the England manager regarding selections.
Tuchel's United Omission History
Since succeeding Sir Gareth Southgate at the start of 2025, Thomas Tuchel has notably not selected any Manchester United players for England duty. This is particularly intriguing given Tuchel was in advanced talks to become United's manager in mid-2024, before ultimately taking the national team role. In August, Tuchel clarified that any omissions were purely "individual decisions" and stressed "there is for sure no decision against Man United."
The potential recalls would mark significant comebacks. Harry Maguire, a veteran of three major tournaments, last earned his 64th cap eighteen months ago. Luke Shaw, who started the Euro 2024 final, has also been absent from the international scene for a similar period. Kobbie Mainoo, now 20, made the most recent of his ten England appearances around the same time.
Mainoo's Resurgence Under Carrick
Carrick reserved special praise for Kobbie Mainoo, whose absence from Tuchel's earlier squads was understandable given he did not start a Premier League match in the first half of the season. However, the midfielder has become a pivotal figure since Carrick's arrival. "I think he's done really well," Carrick said. "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 highlighted Mainoo's all-around performance in United's most recent match, noting his control, defensive work, and overall influence. He also pointed to the youngster's vast potential for growth. "Of course he can always improve... There's so much more to come and develop, and that's just natural. That's not a negative on Kobbie, by any stretch. That's just the stage he's at in his career."
United's Injury Concerns for Bournemouth
As third-placed Manchester United prepare for their trip to the south coast, Carrick provided a mixed update on team availability. Defenders Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt, along with Patrick Dorgu, will miss the match through injury. However, full-back Noussair Mazraoui is expected to be available despite missing Wednesday's training session due to illness.
The final England squad announcement on Friday will reveal whether Tuchel heeds Carrick's public support and ends the notable absence of Manchester United players from his selections. For Maguire, Shaw, and Mainoo, it represents a crucial opportunity to stake their claim for a place in the final World Cup squad later this year.
