Only one Manchester United player features in Rio Ferdinand’s England World Cup starting XI

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Luke Shaw is the only Manchester United player that features in Rio Ferdinand’s England World Cup starting XI.

With Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell ruled out of the tournament after picking up a serious hamstring injury during the Blues’ 2-1 win against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League last week, Shaw looks set to go to Qatar as Gareth Southgate’s number one left-back.

The 27-year-old, who has 23 caps for the Three Lions to his name, wasn’t part of the England side that reached the semi-finals in Russia four years ago.

But having earned an international recall, the former Southampton youngster played a starring role in Southgate’s side reaching the European Championships final last summer before being beaten by Italy on penalties.

United’s number 23 opened the scoring against the Azzuri with a clinical finish and he scored in his last England appearance, which was a 3-3 draw against Germany in the UEFA Nations League back in September.

Shaw has as many goals for his country (3) as he does for Manchester United.

The left-back needed only 23 appearances to score three goals for his country whereas for the Red Devils, Shaw has three goals from 227 appearances.

Shaw is practically averaging a goal involvement in every other game when representing his country as he has eight assists to go alongside his three goals.

Rio Ferdinand’s England World Cup starting XI

However, despite being in impressive form galloping down the left-hand touchline, Ferdinand would start Shaw at centre-back for England in this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.

Speaking on his Vibe with FIVE podcast, the former Manchester United centre-back said he would play Shaw alongside Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and John Stones in a three-man defence, with Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka or Newcastle United right-back Kieran Trippier being deployed at left wing-back in Ferdinand’s team.

Shaw did play at centre-back, in a three-man defence, on a number of occasions under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer including in the Champions League and against the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire weren’t included in Rio’s team, and there was also no place for fellow World Cup hopefuls Dean Henderson and Jadon Sancho.

Southgate is set to name his 26-man World Cup squad later this afternoon.