Thomas Tuchel shares positive Jude Bellingham update and opens door to Man Utd stars

View 2 Images

Thomas Tuchel is “optimistic” Jude Bellingham will be fit for England next month - and then opened the World Cup door for Manchester United ’s exiled trio.

Real Madrid superstar Bellingham suffered a hamstring injury last month and some reports in Spain have suggested the England midfielder could be out until April. But Tuchel says he has been in regular touch and is hoping Bellingham could be fit to face Uruguay and Japan in England’s last two friendlies before they jet to the World Cup this summer.

England boss Tuchel also confirmed that he is ready to welcome Kobbie Mainoo , Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw back to the fold as they are back in United’s starting line-up under interim boss Michael Carrick.

Tuchel insisted Bellingham could be fit for England in March and said: “The club is a bit more defensive on the outlook regarding the weeks of his recovery.

MAKE THE MIRROR YOUR FIRST CHOICE! Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

“Jude is pushing, and as we know him, he is determined and super professional. He will try everything to be with us in March.

“Of course we are in contact, that is a normal thing to do, and we wish him all the best. Whatever we can do for him, we will help and support him. It is a little race against time. Personally, I am optimistic, but I am not sure.”

Tuchel was at West Ham on Tuesday night and was positive on all three potentially being backed for March - and the World Cup.

All three fell off the England radar after losing their places in the United set-up but Tuchel was glowing about Mainoo and was also positive about the two defenders.

View 2 Images

When asked on Mainoo, Tuchel added: “Absolutely back in the frame! First of all, it is great that he is back on the pitch. He is such a huge talent.

“He has already played a tournament from start to finish for England, so he is back in the picture, so is Luke Shaw and so is Harry Maguire.

“There are some players suddenly back in the picture, they play a back four now and play with a different style which is a bit easier to translate to our structure at the moment. It’s good competition.”

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.