Michael Carrick backs Manchester United trio for England recall
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick believes Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo deserve England recalls when Thomas Tuchel names his squad on Friday.
The German coach is preparing to select his group for March’s upcoming international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
He has yet to pick a single player from the Old Trafford club since succeeding Gareth Southgate at the start of last year.
However, the Red Devils boss feels his players’ recent domestic form warrants a place in the national setup ahead of the impending World Cup.
World Cup ambitions
Maguire boasts 64 caps and extensive major tournament experience, but the veteran defender has not featured for his country in 18 months.
Mainoo also last appeared on the international stage a year and a half ago.
The 20-year-old midfielder started the Euro 2024 final alongside club team-mate Shaw, who is equally eager to catch the national manager’s eye.
For the boys, I’d love to see them picked for this one and obviously picked for the summer.
Carrick admitted he has had no direct contact with the England hierarchy regarding his players.
The way they’re playing, I think they’ve put themselves right in the conversation and right in the picture and given themselves a chance.
Mainoo finding his rhythm
Tuchel previously stated in August that his omission of United stars was purely an individual decision rather than a club bias.
Mainoo’s earlier absence was largely attributed to a lack of Premier League starts during the first half of the campaign.
The academy graduate has since established himself as a vital cog in the team’s midfield engine under his new manager.
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.
The former England midfielder noted that the youngster still has plenty of layers to add to his developing game.
Bournemouth trip awaits
On the domestic front, the third-placed Premier League side travel to the south coast to face Bournemouth on Friday.
Defensive trio Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu have all been ruled out of the vital league clash.
Full-back Noussair Mazraoui is expected to feature despite missing a midweek training session through illness.
