Manchester United trio Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire have all been handed a potential lifeline of climbing back into the England squad for the 2026 World Cup.
England manager Thomas Tuchel last week ended speculation around his future after inking a new long-term deal with the Three Lions ahead of the World Cup.
The 52-year-old German head coach has the March international break around the corner and a window could be opened for any English Manchester United player.
Tuchel himself has reacted to Kobbie Mainoo and Co and refused to rule out the possibility that a key United first-team star could be part of his plans for England.
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“It is great that [Mainoo] is back on the pitch,” he said at the UEFA Nations League draw in Brussels last week, as per ESPN.
“He is such a huge talent. He has played already a tournament from start to finish for England, so he is back in the picture, so is Luke Shaw and so is Harry [Maguire].
“There are some players suddenly back in the picture; they play a back four now and play with a different style, which is a bit easier to translate to our structure at the moment. It’s good competition.”
United In Focus has now singled out Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw and rated their chances of climbing back into the England squad for the World Cup.
1. Luke Shaw (Man Utd and England left-back)
Luke Shaw has not featured under England manager Thomas Tuchel and has been out of the Three Lions picks since his last appearance in the Euro 2024 final.
The 30-year-old Manchester United left-back saw his 2024-25 campaign plagued by injuries and was reduced to only 12 appearances for the Red Devils.
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However, Shaw has avoided major injuries in the current campaign and the England international has been able to secure regular United first-team minutes this season.
The ex-Southampton ace has started all 26 of Man Utd’s Premier League matches in the 2025-26 season so far and has deeply impressed with his consistency.
Shaw does face a tall order in trying to climb back into the England squad for the 2026 World Cup, especially with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall impressing as a left-back.
Verdict: 6/10
2. Harry Maguire (Man Utd and England centre-back)
Harry Maguire, much like United teammate Shaw, has not featured under Tuchel since the England manager replaced Sir Gareth Southgate in the dugout.
Sir Gareth Southgate was a big fan of former Man Utd captain Maguire, who impressed during his time with the Three Lions on the international stage.
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Maguire has not featured for England since the 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League in 2024, with interim boss Lee Carsley in charge at the time.
The United centre-back’s current season has included a period on the sideline due to a thigh problem that he suffered, but Maguire has impressed when he has played.
However, Maguire faces a real test in turning Tuchel’s head towards him and starting ahead of the likes of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa for England.
Verdict: 7/10
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3. Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd and England midfielder)
Kobbie Mainoo was a standout performer under former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate during the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 run to the final in Germany.
However, the 20-year-old England and United midfielder has found himself in a similar position to Maguire and Shaw by not playing under Tuchel so far.
Mainoo’s influence in the 2024-25 campaign waned due to injuries before he lost his place in the Man Utd starting XI under Ruben Amorim in the 2025-26 season.
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But Ruben Amorim’s sacking as Man Utd manager paved the way for Michael Carrick to arrive and the interim boss has revitalised Mainoo’s influence in the starting XI.
Mainoo does face major competition in climbing into the England starting XI under Tuchel, with a stacked midfield roster including Adam Wharton and Declan Rice.
The Red Devils talent is looking more and more impressive under United legend Michael Carrick and he still has time on his side to convince Tuchel about his value.
Verdict: 8/10
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