34-cap England star eyes recall months after being told World Cup dream was over

Manchester United star Luke Shaw has said that he is ‘never shutting the door’ on forcing his way into England’s World Cup plans.

The 34-cap Three Lions international hasn’t played for his country since starting the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain 19 months ago.

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That match came after a long injury lay-off, and in turn, created more fitness issues that hampered Shaw for much of last season.

The left-back wasn’t able to start a match for Man United until nine months after England’s defeat to Spain in Berlin in April 2025.

Shaw was restricted to just 12 appearances in all competitions and was told by Troy Deeney that England had ‘moved past him.’

The 30-year-old has missed over 300 games for club and country due to injury since arriving at Old Trafford in 2014, the same number of games he reached in appearances at Man United in December.

However, he remains on course to enjoy the first full campaign of his professional career without a fitness-related absence.

Shaw is the only player at Man United to have started all of the club’s 25 Premier League games this season.

The latest of which came in the club’s fourth straight top-flight victory as Michael Carrick’s men beat Tottenham 2-0 on Saturday.

Shaw explains improved injury record

On playing regular football again, Shaw told talkSPORT’s Sam Matterface post-match. “Of course, it’s amazing.

“I think for me, my whole career, really, it’s been up and down. It’s been really tough, and of course, especially the last two years.

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“For me, it’s not been good enough with my injury record, but sometimes it’s things you can’t control.

“I work so hard daily to be able to get fit, and there’s a few things I’ve obviously changed this season, and done sort of my own things as I felt – I know my body a lot better than I have over the years.

“I feel like that’s working and I’m in a really happy place and for me, just stay fit, keep playing, and just enjoying football.”

Shaw on England recall

Left-back has proved a problem position for Thomas Tuchel, with Myles Lewis-Skelly, Djed Spence, Nico O’Reilly, Dan Burn, and Tino Livramento all yet to prove the German’s undisputed first-choice.

Asked whether the England door is still open, Shaw added: “Oh, of course, you would never shut it.

“I’ve had some amazing memories with England, played in the last two European Championship finals, and I feel like I’ve been a big part of that.

“So yeah, of course I’ll never shut that door, especially now when I feel like you know my fitness is at a really good level and I think the manager of England knows what I can bring and what I can do.

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“So, for me, it’s just what I need to do is just keep playing games, keep fit, and whatever happens happens.”

On whether Tuchel has spoken to him about an England recall, Shaw added: “No, I don’t know, we haven’t spoken too much about that.

“Hopefully, we can have a conversation soon, and look, whatever happens, I’ll respect his decision. I’ll always respect it.

“I think the only thing I can do is focus on what I’m doing for Manchester United at the moment, and if a call-up comes, it comes, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

“I just get on with performing for Manchester United, as of course that is my club, and I want to do well for them.”