Thomas Tuchel has handed Manchester United a massive favour whether he meant to or not.
While Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo got their England recalls this week, one name was noticeably absent from the German’s expanded 35 man squad. Luke Shaw. Left out. Again.
And for United fans? That’s music to their ears.
Let’s not forget, this is a player who Gareth Southgate loved so much he basically bent the rules for him. Euro 2024. Shaw hadn’t kicked a ball for United in three months. Didn’t matter. Southgate named him in the squad anyway, hoping he’d somehow be ready for the knockout stages.
He wasn’t, really. But that was Southgate’s way. Loyalty over logic, sometimes.
Tuchel, though? Different beast entirely.
The new England boss has now named two squads since taking over, and Shaw has been in neither. Even with an extended 35 man group the last chance for players to stake a claim before the World Cup, there was no room for the left back.
Nico O’Reilly and Lewis Hall got the nod instead. Both fine players, no doubt, but it’s a clear signal: Shaw is no longer first choice. Might not even be second.
Now, on the face of it, that’s a blow for a player who’s spoken warmly about what representing England means to him. His international career could be over. Twenty months ago, he was being picked injured. Now he can’t get in when he’s fully fit and playing some of his best stuff for United.
Because let’s be clear Shaw has been excellent this season. Started every Premier League game. Looks sharp. Looks fit. Looks like the player United thought they’d signed all those years ago.
But for United, this is gold dust.
Think back to 2024. Southgate calls Shaw up for the Euros, despite him missing the entire second half of the season. United fans were fuming. Then he picks up another injury during the tournament. Then he comes back to Carrington, and the club announce he’ll miss the “opening few” games of the season.
Except it wasn’t a few. It was months.
He didn’t make his first United appearance until the end of November. That was 280 days without a competitive game. Then, just one match later, a new issue. Out until April. The whole thing was a nightmare.
Shaw himself wrote at the time: “It’s hurting a lot having to write this as I really thought I had got through my recent struggles… I’m absolutely devastated and it’s extremely tough to come to terms with reality.”
Most fans felt for him. But there was also a lingering frustration. Should he ever have been at those Euros? Did that summer cost United their left back for the best part of a year?
Now, with Tuchel ignoring him, that scenario simply can’t happen again.
Shaw won’t be at risk of picking up a knock in some friendly against Uruguay or Japan. He won’t be rushed back for a tournament he’s not fit for. Instead, he gets a proper rest during the international break. And more importantly, a full pre season with United.
For a player with his injury record, that’s huge.
Barring a U turn from Tuchel or a sudden raft of injuries at left back Shaw’s World Cup dream is over. And from a Manchester United perspective, that might just be the best news they’ve had all season.
