Carrick supports Manchester United players Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw for national team selection.
MANCHESTER — Michael Carrick has expressed his support for Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw to secure a spot in England’s World Cup roster following their significant contributions to Manchester United’s resurgence.
Thomas Tuchel is expected to announce his squad for friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan on Friday, marking the final training camp prior to this summer’s World Cup.
Mainoo, Maguire, and Shaw have been absent from the England setup for some time. However, after assisting in propelling United to third place in the Premier League standings, Carrick is confident they have positioned themselves for potential recalls.
“I haven’t been in contact [with Tuchel],” Carrick stated. “For the players, I would love to see them selected for this one and for the summer.”
“I lack any influence in that regard, but based on their performances, they have placed themselves in contention and created an opportunity. They are performing well enough to deserve a spot.”
Another player making an impression under Carrick is captain Bruno Fernandes.
The Portugal midfielder provided two additional assists in the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, bringing his season total to 16—twice as many as Rayan Cherki, who follows with eight.
Fernandes’ performance has sparked discussions about his potential candidacy for the PFA Player of the Year award.
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“I believe he’s had an outstanding season,” Carrick remarked.
“It’s not so much about who I would choose, but I’m thrilled he’s performing at this level and making such an impact for us.”
“I enjoy seeing him in those award discussions. It reflects positively on what is happening at this club. We’ll have to wait and 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 will not compete again until Leeds United comes to Old Trafford on April 13.
“The upcoming weeks present a real mix for the group,” the United head coach noted. “We’re uncertain about the exact numbers we’ll have, but we likely won’t have many players here.”
“It becomes essential to manage each individual and their requirements. Flexibility is necessary to emerge from this [the break] in good condition. We are certainly aware of that.”
“It’s somewhat unique to have the week after the internationals for preparation. Typically, it’s a rush to get everyone back as quickly as possible.”
