Tuchel explains United choices

Providing detailed analysis of his selection, ahead of home friendlies against Uruguay and Japan during the international break, the German admitted it is a final opportunity for players to attempt to book their tickets for the plane to the World Cup finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Maguire and Mainoo have been picked for the first time since Tuchel took the job, while Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona, retains his place in the squad.

Luke Shaw was namechecked by the Three Lions boss as one of those unlucky not to make the cut.

"It's good to make the point I have nothing against Manchester United," said Tuchel. "It's just to acknowledge the achievement of Manchester United, as a team.

"I think they have had an outstanding run since Michael Carrick is in charge. Harry and Kobbie have been a big part of that.

"So, it's like I said, the last camp before the US and the last chance also, for me, to get to know new players and to learn about new players. Kobbie is one of them, Harry is not a new player in an England shirt, of course, but is new to me in a camp.

"I want to see them around other players, I want to feel them around the pitch and see what they are capable of, and learn about them, and then will make a clear decision in May."

Mentioning leaving out Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and Reds left-back Shaw, Tuchel added: "These tough decisions come with the job."

The squad is being split for the two friendlies, with 11 players only linking up late for the second game, against Japan.

These are ex-United keeper Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.

"All of these guys have played 3,500+ minutes," said Tuchel. "They have a bit of credit and we think we have to give them a break, mentally and physically, so we will benefit from it."

Former Reds Academy graduate James Garner is another name in the squad, with Tuchel saying he has the feeling the Everton man is underrated because he is enjoying an outstanding campaign.

"It's our last camp, the last opportunity to impress and the last opportunity for players to compete for their ticket," he outlined.

"We decided to kind of split it into two camps. We invited 19 outfield players and four goalkeepers into the first part of the camp, meaning, until the match against Uruguay, we will give these players a real chance to impress and a real chance to compete for minutes against Uruguay, impress against Uruguay, and then, of course, also compete for their ticket to the World Cup." 

Hence, it sounds like the Uruguay fixture at Wembley is a key audition ahead of the finals, and the game takes place next Friday (27 March).