Just in: Tuchel delivers World Cup lifeline to two Man Utd stars with England recall

Manchester United duo have received a timely boost in their bid to secure a place on the plane for the FIFA World Cup this summer.

According to reputed journalist David Ornstein, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire have been handed recalls to the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

With just two friendlies remaining, the clock is ticking for Thomas Tuchel to finalise his 26-man squad for the World Cup.

The official announcement of the squad for the games this month is expected at 10am GMT.

Mainoo was a standout figure for England at UEFA Euro 2024, showcasing maturity well beyond his years.

Still a teenager at the time, he earned the trust of then-manager Gareth Southgate, who handed him a start in the heartbreaking final against Spain.

It marked a meteoric rise for the young midfielder on both club and international stages.

Unfortunately, he found himself dropped to the bench at the start of the 2025–26 season.

Former United head coach Ruben Amorim made it clear that Mainoo would need to compete with Bruno Fernandes for a place in the starting XI.

Fast forward a few months, and the arrival of Michael Carrick has completely transformed Mainoo’s situation. He has delivered solid performances, though there is still a huge room for improvement.

A return to the international stage could provide a significant confidence boost at a crucial phase of his development.
It may also inspire him to elevate his performances further and force his way into Tuchel’s final World Cup squad.

Just like Mainoo, Maguire has firmly earned his way back into the international fold.

A regular under Southgate, he is yet to feature under Tuchel, with his last cap coming in September 2024 under Lee Carsley.

The 33-year-old has been in sensational form under Carrick, starting each of the last nine games.

With experience from two World Cups, Maguire brings leadership and big-game pedigree to a relatively young England squad.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .