Sam Allardyce has publicly challenged Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw out of England's 26-man World Cup squad, arguing both Manchester United players deserve selection based on form and experience.
Tuchel's squad announcement drew criticism for prioritizing squad harmony over individual quality, a strategy that left several established performers sidelined. While Kobbie Mainoo earned recall after impressing for United in the second half of 2025/26, Maguire and Shaw's omissions raised eyebrows among former managers and analysts.
Shaw's Case: Fitness and Versatility
Allardyce made a compelling argument for Shaw's inclusion during an appearance on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast. The left-back has completed a full domestic season for the first time in years, appearing in 38 games for Manchester United while maintaining high defensive standards. Beyond his primary role, Shaw can operate effectively as a centre-half—a flexibility that provides tactical depth few players in Tuchel's squad offer.
"Shaw, for the first time in a while, has played 38 games for Manchester United, and he plays equally as good at centre-half as he does at left back," Allardyce explained. The former England manager particularly questioned Tuchel's preference for Djed Spence of Tottenham, suggesting Shaw's tournament pedigree and current form made him the superior choice. Shaw brings significant experience from multiple international tournaments—an asset Spence cannot yet claim.
Maguire's Defensive Stability and Ball-Playing Ability
On Maguire, Allardyce highlighted how the centre-back has become instrumental in restoring defensive solidity at Old Trafford since his recent return to first-team action. "He's been one of the reasons the stability has been brought back to the club," Allardyce noted, emphasizing that Maguire's presence has directly contributed to Manchester United winning more matches through improved defensive organization.
The criticism of Maguire often centers on his pace—a legitimate concern in modern football. However, Allardyce drew a historical parallel to Bobby Moore, arguably England's greatest defender, who succeeded despite similar limitations through positioning and game intelligence. Paired with a quicker partner like Marc Guehi, Maguire's passing range and reading of the game could provide valuable balance. His status as "one of the best passers of the ball as a centre-half in the country" offers England an alternative to more cautious defensive approaches.
Allardyce's critique suggests Tuchel's squad selection prioritized squad harmony over tested tournament experience—a strategy that may leave England vulnerable if defensive injuries occur during the World Cup campaign.
