Carrick Backs Mainoo, Maguire & Shaw for England World Cup Spots | Man Utd Form

MANCHESTER – Manchester United’s resurgence under Michael Carrick is not only lifting the team’s league position but is also generating renewed calls for key players to be included in the England squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Carrick has publicly backed Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw to earn recalls, believing their current form warrants consideration by England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Tuchel is scheduled to announce his squad this Friday for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan – the final opportunity to assess players before finalizing the World Cup roster. The inclusion of United players has been a notable absence under Tuchel’s tenure, a statistic that reflects the club’s recent struggles. However, Carrick believes the tide is turning.

“I haven’t been in touch [with Tuchel],” Carrick stated on Wednesday. “For the boys, I’d love to see them picked for this one and for the summer. I don’t have any influence on that, but the way they’re playing, they have put themselves in the picture and given themselves a chance. They are playing well enough to warrant a place.”

Maguire, a veteran of three major tournaments, hasn’t featured for England in 18 months. Shaw, who started in the Euro 2024 final, is also hoping for a return. Mainoo, at just 20 years old, is the relative newcomer, having last appeared for the national team in September 2024. His resurgence under Carrick, after a period of being out of favor during Ruben Amorim’s reign, is particularly noteworthy.

United’s climb to third in the Premier League table has undoubtedly played a significant role in bolstering the players’ chances. Carrick’s impact since taking over as interim boss has been widely praised, and the team’s improved performance is clearly resonating with the national team manager, or at least, Carrick hopes it is.

The form of captain Bruno Fernandes is also attracting attention. Fernandes has been instrumental in United’s success, currently leading the Premier League with 16 assists – double the tally of Rayan Cherki, his nearest competitor. Carrick acknowledged Fernandes’ exceptional season, stating, “I reckon he’s had a fantastic season. It’s not so much who I would vote for, but I’m delighted he’s playing the way he is and having the impact he is having for us. I love to see him in those conversations [about awards]. It says a lot about what is going on at this club.”

The upcoming international break presents a unique challenge for Carrick and Manchester United. With a nearly three-week gap in fixtures following Friday’s match against Bournemouth, the club faces the prospect of having a significantly reduced squad due to international commitments.

“The next couple of weeks is a real mix for the group,” Carrick explained. “We’re not sure exactly what kind of numbers we’ll have, but we probably won’t have many here. It becomes about managing each individual and what they need. You have to be flexible to come out the back of it [the break] in good shape. We’re mindful of it for sure.”

Carrick also highlighted the unusual benefit of having a week to prepare after the international break, a luxury rarely afforded to clubs. “It’s unique in some ways, having the week after the internationals to prepare. Normally it’s a rush to get everyone back as quickly as possible.”

The focus now shifts to Friday’s match against Bournemouth, and then to Tuchel’s squad announcement. The coming days will reveal whether Carrick’s faith in his players will be rewarded with a return to the international stage, and whether Manchester United’s resurgence will translate into a stronger England presence at the World Cup this summer.