Luke Shaw: The simple reasons why Thomas Tuchel needs him back in the England squad

What a brilliant campaign Luke Shaw is having for Manchester United .

Shaw’s quality has never been in doubt, yet his injury struggles have proven a major obstacle throughout his United career.

The Englishman’s time at Old Trafford has been plagued by injuries. As a Red Devil, he has spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch.

Yet, 29 league games into the season, Shaw appears to have shaken off his injury struggles, starting every one of United’s league games and emerging as “Mr Available”.

That said, he has not merely been available; while doing so, he has also put on quality performances that, for many, should leave Thomas Tuchel with no choice but to recall him to the England set-up. Since his appearance in the Euro 2024 final, in which his England side lost 2-1 to Spain on 14 July 2024, Shaw is yet to feature for the Three Lions.

A long-term injury following that tournament meant he could not be called upon. His absence and the need to rebuild his form opened the door for other exciting English left-backs to step forward.

And whilst the likes of Nico O’Reilly, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Lewis Hall have shown they possess the potential to fill Shaw’s void, Stuart Pearce has explained why England still need him.

Clearly impressed by Shaw’s resurgence, the England legend told The Sun :

“If Manchester United carry on the ascension that they’re on at the moment, you have got to talk about Luke Shaw .

“He’s got experience at the tournaments. When he’s been out of the England side, we’ve missed him. He’s a rounded left-back.

“More to the point, when you compare him to some of the others around, nobody probably had really nailed their colours to the mast in regards to playing there.

“Tino Livramento has come in as have Myles Lewis-Skelly and Nico O’Reilly. There’s a lot of players there that are good options.

“But I’m sure if Luke Shaw recovers the form we know he can, he could be the No 1 left-back.”

He added, “It’s his history. More so, his history plays a big part. The fact he’s been to tournaments. He knows what it’s like. He’s a good member of the squad.

“I worked with him at Under-21 level. I know his mentality. More to the point, I don’t think there’s been another left-back that has come along that has made us say, we can’t stop thinking about Luke Shaw .”

Whilst United fans grew frustrated with Shaw’s injury record, one interesting trait of the left-back was that he always seemed to find his fitness whenever England headed into a tournament.

And whenever he pulled on the Three Lions shirt, he would go on to put on a show. It is, therefore, no surprise that recalling him feels like a no-brainer for Tuchel; Shaw simply lives to play for England.

For a young England defence in need of experienced heads, both Shaw and perhaps Harry Maguire , himself enjoying a resurgence, ought to be considered for England’s World Cup squad, even if handed more minor roles.

Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

online polls

The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social