Michael Carrick has backed Luke Shaw to earn a place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the 2026 World Cup, praising the left-back's remarkable consistency this season. The Manchester United manager's endorsement comes after Shaw achieved a rare feat by starting all 37 Premier League matches, accumulating 3,151 minutes and demonstrating exceptional durability despite his well-documented injury history.
Shaw's Season of Consistency
Shaw has been the sole Manchester United player to feature in every top-flight fixture this campaign, a distinction that underscores his importance to the club's defensive setup. The 29-year-old contributed directly to Sunday's 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest with a superb goal, adding to his impressive goal tally of five strikes and 30 assists across 324 appearances for the Red Devils. His availability throughout such a demanding schedule represents a significant achievement in modern football, where fixture congestion and injury management are constant challenges.
Carrick emphasised the magnitude of Shaw's consistency when discussing the physical demands on defenders in the contemporary game. "It's difficult for anybody to do," the manager explained. "When there's so many games it's not an easy thing to be able to—sometimes it's no fault of your own. Unfortunately injuries are part of football and there's other things that come into play. So to start every game is really fantastic."
International Recognition
Despite his club-level performances, Shaw has not represented England since the 2024 European Championship final. The full-back holds three goals and nine assists in 34 caps for the national team, bringing defensive solidity and creative contribution from the left flank. When asked directly whether Tuchel should select Shaw for the World Cup squad announcement on Friday, Carrick did not hesitate: "I certainly think so, yeah. I haven't got much sway in the matter at all, but I certainly think so. Again, the consistency, just what he's capable of doing, the performance, the experience, his strengths, his attributes that he's got. For me, he's a fantastic full-back."
England face crucial preparation ahead of their Group L campaign in the United States, Canada and Mexico, beginning with friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica. The team will open their tournament against Croatia on June 17, followed by fixtures against Ghana and Panama. Shaw's experience and proven durability could prove invaluable as Tuchel builds squad depth and tactical flexibility for a major tournament.
