MANCHESTER — Michael Carrick has expressed his support for Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw, believing they deserve spots in England‘s World Cup squad due to their crucial contributions to Manchester United‘s resurgence.
Thomas Tuchel is poised to announce his squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan this Friday, marking the final training camp before the World Cup this summer.
Mainoo, Maguire, and Shaw have not featured in the England setup for some time. However, Carrick, following their instrumental role in propelling United to third place in the Premier League, feels they’ve earned a chance for national team recalls.
“I haven’t spoken to Tuchel,” Carrick said. “For the lads, I would love to see them included in this squad and for the summer’s tournament.
“While I can’t influence that, their current form has certainly put them back in contention. They’re performing well enough to deserve a call-up.”
Another standout performer under Carrick’s management is captain Bruno Fernandes.
The Portugal midfielder notched two more assists in United’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, bringing his season total to 16—double that of Rayan Cherki, who trails with eight.
Fernandes’ impressive performance has sparked conversations about his potential candidacy for the PFA Player of the Year award.
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“He has had a fantastic season,” Carrick remarked.
“I’m not here to express my own voting preferences, but I’m thrilled to see his impact and contribution to our success.
“It’s great to see him in the conversation for awards. It reflects positively on what’s happening at the club. We’ll see how that unfolds.”
United will face Bournemouth on Friday before a nearly three-week hiatus due to international matches and their exit from the FA Cup.
Following the match at the Vitality Stadium, Carrick’s squad won’t compete again until Leeds United comes to Old Trafford on April 13.
“The upcoming weeks present a mix of challenges for the group,” commented the United head coach. “We’re uncertain about our numbers, but it’s likely we won’t have many available here.
“It’s essential to manage individual needs during this time. Flexibility will be key to ensuring we come out of the break in good shape. We’re certainly mindful of that.
“It’s a unique situation, having the week after the internationals to prepare. Usually, there’s a rush to get everyone back as soon as possible.”