Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire both returned to the England set-up in this week’s friendly squad announcement, for the first time under Thomas Tuchel.
With March being the final international break before the 2026 World Cup arrives, it was the final chance for Manchester United players to get into their manager’s mind.
United players hadn’t represented England in years, but that’s all changed this month, with Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire called up.
Mason Mount and Luke Shaw missed out of Thomas Tuchel’s 35-man squad, but something about the call-up for Mainoo and Maguire has left Rio Ferdinand wondering.
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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.
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire with England
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand thinks there is something weird about Thomas Tuchel’s England squad
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents, after United’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, Ferdinand explained what he found weird about the England squad.
“Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, both back in the England fold, guys. How are we feeling about that? I’m happy to see it.
“Although it is a 35-man squad, and you’re thinking, does that mean anything? That’s the thing I want I’d like to see.
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“When you’re in the squad, and you’re thinking like 35, if I train well, is that going to get me in the team or in the squad, or is it just down to the match?
“Like it’s weird. It’s a weird situation. Never been seen before, to be fair. So, we’ll see how the players react to it.”
Position Player Club
Goalkeepers Dean Henderson Crystal Palace
Jordan Pickford Everton
Aaron Ramsdale Newcastle United
Jason Steele Brighton & Hove Albion
James Trafford Manchester City
Defenders Dan Burn Newcastle United
Marc Guéhi Crystal Palace
Lewis Hall Newcastle United
Ezri Konsa Aston Villa
Tino Livramento Newcastle United
Harry Maguire Manchester United
Nico O’Reilly Manchester City
Jarell Quansah Bayer Leverkusen
Djed Spence Tottenham Hotspur
John Stones Manchester City
Fikayo Tomori AC Milan
Midfielders Elliot Anderson Nottingham Forest
Jude Bellingham Real Madrid
James Garner Everton
Jordan Henderson Brentford
Kobbie Mainoo Manchester United
Declan Rice Arsenal
Morgan Rogers Aston Villa
Adam Wharton Crystal Palace
Forwards Jarrod Bowen West Ham United
Dominic Calvert-Lewin Leeds United
Eberechi Eze Arsenal
Phil Foden Manchester City
Anthony Gordon Newcastle United
Harry Kane Bayern Munich
Noni Madueke Arsenal
Cole Palmer Chelsea
Marcus Rashford Barcelona (loan)
Bukayo Saka Arsenal
Dominic Solanke Tottenham Hotspur
Thomas has cast his net wide this month, calling up more than he usually would into a squad, likely to gauge where the likes of Mainoo are in relation to other midfielders before narrowing the group for June.
But what Ferdinand finds weird will probably just spark serious competition between the players, who will all want to earn their place in the 26-man final list.
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 should be a shoo-in for the England squad
When looking at the squad selected, Mainoo’s inclusion in the ultimate 26-man squad should be a formality given his current form and qualities.
Mainoo has been there with England already, key in the 2024 European Championship run to the final at the age of 18, which is a glowing show of his ability and how good he can be.
All it took was a run of games in a competent system, and Mainoo is back to being called into the England squad, and will surely be fighting with Elliot Anderson for the role beside Declan Rice.
But in this battle, Mainoo and Rice offer a brilliant contrast together, making for a balanced midfield, while Anderson is almost too much of a Rice-style midfielder.
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