Gary Lineker has made a key point about Manchester United star Luke Shaw after Micah Richards dropped his huge admiration for one emerging England talent.
Luke Shaw was snubbed for an England call-up during the November international break, despite playing a major role for Ruben Amorim in the 2025-26 campaign.
The 30-year-old England international was a preferred pick for former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate before falling out of the Three Lions’ set-up.
Which Man Utd player has most chance of playing for England at the World Cup?
Shaw played 90 minutes in England’s 2-1 Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, but the Manchester United star would struggle in the subsequent season due to injury.
The Three Lions left-back, who plays as a left-sided centre-back in Ruben Amorim’s system for United, made only 12 appearances across all competitions last season.
But Shaw has appeared to overcome his 2024-25 injury setbacks and has already managed to make 11 Premier League appearances in the 2025-26 campaign.
Micah Richards snubs Man Utd star Luke Shaw with his praise for Man City and England talent Nico O’Reilly
Despite his run of form in the current Premier League season, Luke Shaw did not do enough to make the England squad under Three Lions head coach Thomas Tuchel.
However, Thomas Tuchel did call up Nico O’Reilly and the 20-year-old Manchester City talent made his debut for the Three Lions during the November break.
Micah Richards was in awe at how Nico O’Reilly has flown under the radar after the Manchester City academy talent played both matches against Serbia and Albania.
Are you excited for World Cup 2026 in the USA?
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, he said: “Can we talk about the left-back, though? Nico O’Reilly. Played both games.
“A centre midfield player playing left-back for Man City and England. He’s 20 years of age. What a player he is, by the way.”
Sky Sports pundit Richards added: “What a player he is. I love the way he’s just, he’s good going forward. Defensively, he’s sound enough for a midfielder.
“He’s good on the ball. He gets on it in midfield. He’s a class act to do that.”
Gary Lineker makes one Luke Shaw remark after Micah Richards’ praise for Man City and England starlet Nico O’Reilly
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel has hinted that Shaw could make it back into the England fold ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America next summer.
Gary Lineker spotlighted the talent pool that is available at Tuchel’s disposal, including the role that United star Shaw could still play for England.
“And a lot of talks [has] always been about [Jude] Bellingham and [Phil] Foden and [Marcus] Rashford coming back into the side,” he told Richards.
“[Harry] Kane does what he does, but what he’s doing at 20 years of age, it’s like he’s not even been spoken about.
“Then you’ve got [Myles] Lewis-Skelly and you’ve got [Tino] Livramento and you’ve got, well, Luke Shaw, if you want a bit of experience.”
Shaw has been capped 34 times for England and the former Southampton star has represented the Three Lions at European Championships and the 2022 World Cup.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
