England legend Stuart Pearce has called for Manchester United defender Luke Shaw to join Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
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Shaw has had a mixed career for Man Utd and England, often looking the best player on his day, but struggling for consistency, partly due to a poor injury record.
However, Pearce is a big fan of Shaw and feels he could still have it in him to be England’s first-choice defender at the World Cup in North America this summer.
The 30-year-old looks to be back at his best for United this season, and Pearce feels that having his experience could prove invaluable to the Three Lions.
Luke Shaw spoke for England’s World Cup venue
Shaw scored England’s highlight reel in their Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, and has rarely let his country down.
Discussing the left-back position with the Sun, Pearce made his case for Shaw to be a part of Tuchel’s side this summer.
“If Manchester United keep climbing the ones you are on right now, you have to talk about it Luke Shaw.
“He has experience in competitions when he is out In England long, we miss him. He is a left back player.
“What’s more, if you compare him to others there, no one might have nailed his colors in terms of playing there.
“Tino Livramento has come in along with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Nico O’Reilly. There are a lot of players there who could make good choices.
“But I’m sure if Luke Shaw can get back the form we know he can get, he can be the number 1 left back.”
He added: “It’s his history. In addition, his history plays a big role. The fact that you’ve been to tournaments. You know how it is. He is a good member of the squad.
“I’ve worked with him at Under-21 level. I know his mentality. The biggest thing is, I don’t think there’s another left-back who has come up and made us say, we can’t stop thinking about Luke Shaw.
“He’s a 100 percent good squad member. We’ve seen that Jordan Henderson. The manager brought Henderson into the team as much as he is a person.
“You must have good guests along the way too, that’s for sure.”
Which other Manchester United players could make England’s World Cup squad?
It will be interesting to see if a few more of United’s big names make it into the England squad this summer.
Shaw is far from a sure thing, and that is also true of experienced figures such as Harry Maguire and Mason Mount.
Kobbie Mainoo’s recent improvement in form should see him back in contention after reaching the Euros two years ago, but there is also big competition in that area from Tuchel’s side.
Marcus Rashford, currently on loan from United from Barcelona, and and and and and
