Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has expressed his belief that Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, and Harry Maguire all merit inclusion in England's squad for the upcoming World Cup this summer. The trio started in United's 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Sunday, a result that solidified the team's third-place finish under Carrick's tenure since January.
Shaw's Remarkable Consistency
Luke Shaw has started every Premier League game this season, a feat made more impressive given his history of injuries. The 30-year-old left-back, who has 34 England caps but none since 2024, opened the scoring against Forest with his first goal of the campaign. Carrick highlighted Shaw's durability and experience as key assets.
"I think it's difficult for anybody to do, to be honest, when there's so many games it's not an easy thing," Carrick said of Shaw's appearance record. "Sometimes it's no fault of your own. Unfortunately injuries and things are part of football and there's other things that come into play. To start every game is a really fantastic thing to be able to do."
Carrick's Verdict on England Calls
When asked if Shaw, Mainoo, and Maguire deserve World Cup places, Carrick responded: "I certainly think so, yeah. I've not got much sway in the matter at all but I certainly think so. The consistency, just what he's capable of doing. Performance, the experience, his strengths, the attributes he's got. He's a fantastic full-back and I think all three of them have done their chances no harm recently, for sure."
Maguire and Mainoo have been part of Thomas Tuchel's recent England squads, and Carrick believes their form justifies continued selection. The manager also noted that Shaw's experience will be vital next season as United return to Champions League action.
"Next season's a new season and there's different types of runs of games but that's part of adapting. That's being a little bit older, experience and knowing your body and managing things. He's at that stage, Luke now, where he's got an awful lot of experience, he's been here for a long time, he knows the club, he knows what it feels like, the ups and he's suffered more of the more challenging times. Next season, I think, his experience will be valuable however many games he plays."
