Several Manchester United players are at risk of missing out on a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Manchester United will have plenty of reasons to keep a close eye on the upcoming World Cup.
Not only will they be watching United’s representation, but it’s also an opportunity for club scouts to monitor transfer targets.
Not every United player will get a desired call-up to their national team for the World Cup, so here are five players with doubts over their prospects of featuring at this summer’s tournament.
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Mason Mount playing against Bournemouth
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Mason Mount – England
Thomas Tuchel may have been a big admirer of Mason Mount during his time at Chelsea, but he has yet to select the playmaker since taking charge of the Three Lions.
Mount’s injury record remains an issue. It’s the main reason why he can’t get a run of games under his belt to prove himself, even if Tuchel was keen on bringing him to the World Cup.
The England international has yet to justify his £60 million transfer to United in July 2023.
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Luke Shaw – England
Luke Shaw is another player who has not been selected by Tuchel since becoming England manager.
Despite performing consistently throughout the season, Shaw was overlooked again in Tuchel’s latest squad, with just two United players included.
Unless England suffers injuries at left-back, Shaw’s chances of making the squad are incredibly slim right now.
Matthijs de Ligt – Netherlands
Injured since the end of November, Matthijs de Ligt faces a race against time to return to fitness before the current season concludes.
That means Ronald Koeman is unlikely to select the United defender as part of his squad, which is already stocked with highly rated centre-backs.
The Dutch defenders currently ahead of De Ligt include Virgil van Dijk, Stefan de Vrij, Nathan Ake, and Jurrien Timber.
Kobbie Mainoo – England
Kobbie Mainoo is another player trying to impress in an England shirt under Tuchel for the first time this month.
There is stiff competition for places in the England squad when it comes to midfield, meaning Mainoo will be up against the likes of Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and more.
Mainoo was overlooked previously because he wasn’t getting game time under Ruben Amorim. Even though that has since changed for the better, the United academy graduate is still at risk of missing out on a place in the World Cup squad.
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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
Harry Maguire – England
Harry Maguire is one of the two United players to make the England squad for the March internationals, but he is still in danger of missing out on a place in Tuchel’s World Cup selection.
The 33-year-old, who has performed consistently for United this season, has yet to feature under Tuchel. That means he will be aiming to use the upcoming friendlies to prove himself.
Of course, ensuring United qualify for the Champions League could bring Maguire into serious contention, given the role he has played in the upcoming run of form under Michael Carrick.
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