Despite Thomas Tuchel himself holding talks about the United job in mid-2024, Maguire, a veteran of three major tournaments, has not been called up to the national team for 18 months. Similarly, Mainoo and Shaw started in the Euro 2024 final against Spain but remained on the sidelines.

Although Tuchel previously insisted such exclusions were merely an “individual decision” and “certainly not a decision against United,” both players now hope to be called up Friday, when the squad for the March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan is announced. Carrick believes their form has now reached a level that cannot be ignored.

Speaking before United’s Friday night match against Bournemouth, Carrick made clear his players’ situation. “I haven’t been in touch (with Tuchel), no,” Carrick admitted. “As for the lads, I would love for them to be selected for this game and, obviously, for the summer.

I do not influence that, but certainly the lads, with the way they are playing, I think they have put themselves right into the conversation and the picture and have earned a chance.”

He continued: “So we will see. Honestly, I don’t know any more than you do about it. But the lads are playing well enough to earn a spot; that’s for sure. It’s just not my decision, so we will have to wait and see what happens.”

Mainoo, 20, has shone since Carrick took the helm. While his previous absence from the England squad was understandable, as he was not a Premier League starter during the first half of the season, he has since become a key figure.

The United manager is excited about the midfielder’s potential and said: “Of course, he can always improve, and in many aspects; to begin with, just because of his age. He has a long way to go and a lot to develop, and that’s natural. That is not at all a negative thing for Kobbie.”

Although attention remains focused on international recognition, Carrick still has hurdles to overcome at the domestic level with an injury-ravaged squad. United currently sits third in the standings but will be without key defenders Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt for the trip to the south coast, where they will face Bournemouth on Friday.

New signing Patrick Dorgu is also unavailable, leaving the back line in a delicate situation as it attempts to maintain the fight for Champions League qualification.

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