Thomas Tuchel will name his England squad for the March international fixtures on Friday in what will give him a final glimpse of a number of stars before his World Cup selection
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has given his verdict on a number of his players' World Cup hopes(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick believes Red Devils trio Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo have all forced themselves into World Cup contention. Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel has just two squads left to name ahead of this summer’s tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
He will name a selection for this month’s international break later this week, while focus will then switch to the preparations for the World Cup.
Firmly in contention are Maguire, Mainoo and Shaw - all three having shone under Carrick at Old Trafford. And the United boss has backed all three to seal spots in Tuchel’s upcoming squad, as well as places at the World Cup itself.
He said: “No, I haven't been in touch. For the boys, I'd love to see them picked for this one and obviously picked for the summer.
“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 and right in the picture and given themselves a chance.
“So we'll see. I literally don't know any more than you on that one. But 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.”
Carrick is far from the only one who has predicted a recall to the England fold for Shaw. Former Three Lions star Stuart Pearce also believes the defender could be Tuchel’s first-choice left-back for the World Cup.
Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire
Carrick has backed Shaw and Maguire for World Cup call-ups(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Speaking to The Sun, he said: “The full-back positions are the toughest of the lot to call. If Manchester United carry on the ascension that they’re on at the moment, you have got to talk about Luke Shaw.
“He’s got experience at the tournaments. When he’s been out of the England side, we’ve missed him. He’s a rounded left-back.
“More to the point, when you compare him to some of the others around, nobody probably had really nailed their colours to the mast in regards to playing there.
“Tino Livramento has come in as have Myles Lewis-Skelly and Nico O’Reilly. There’s a lot of players there that are good options. But I’m sure if Luke Shaw recovers the form we know he can, he could be the No 1 left-back.”
Shaw, 30, has 34 caps for England, while Maguire boasts 64 appearances for his country. Mainoo in the meantime has amassed 10 outings for the Three Lions at the age of 20.