Manchester United trio Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford all featured in England’s 1-1 draw against Uruguay.
As the national teams prepare for the 2026 World Cup, Manchester United players are competing to secure their place on the plane.
None of the United trio called up by Thomas Tuchel for the March break had played for the German coach previously. That was until Friday night as England drew 1-1 against Uruguay at Wembley.
Just two of the three United players who featured were named in Tuchel’s starting line-up, though they are running out of time to earn a World Cup spot.
Kobbie Mainoo playing for England against Uruguay
Photo by Alex Davidson – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
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Kobbie Mainoo at the end of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, in 2026.
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How the national press reacted to Man Utd trio against Uruguay
We have rounded up how the newspapers reacted to each United player in action against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
The Sun gave Harry Maguire a 7/10, noting how he looked like a leader next to Fikayo Tomori, having more touches on the ball than any other England player.
Maguire earned the same rating from The Telegraph, which gave Marcus Rashford a solid 6/10 despite not being a regular starter for Barcelona.
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After coming off the bench in the second half, Kobbie Mainoo picked up a 5/10 rating from BBC Sport for keeping things simple.
There are no guarantees for any of these players this summer, but iNews believe Maguire solidified his prospects of making the squad with a 7/10 display. The same newspaper hailed Rashford for providing the highlight of the first half as he dribbled down the left wing before his cross whizzed through the penalty area past Dominic Solanke.
The highest rating for any United player went to Maguire, with The Standard giving him 8/10 for being a rock at the back.
Should Kobbie Mainoo be in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup?
After recent form, will Thomas Tuchel be convinced?
Kobbie Mainoo during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in 2026 in London, England.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Kobbie Mainoo waiting for his first England start under Thomas Tuchel
England have one more fixture on Tuesday night before the international break comes to an end.
That means the three United players in question have another chance – against Japan – to prove themselves worthy of a World Cup spot.
For Mainoo, the 20-year-old will be hoping to earn his first start under Tuchel.
The game against Uruguay was his first appearance under the German coach, but it came as a substitute and he didn’t get a long enough stint on the pitch to make an impression.
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