Rooney questions ‘strange’ Tuchel decision to snub second Man Utd star after Maguire

Luke Shaw deserved a call-up after Tino Livramento’s withdrawal, says ex-England star Wayne Rooney (Picture: BBC)

England hero Wayne Rooney has been left scratching his head over Thomas Tuchel’s ‘strange’ decision to call up Trevoh Chalobah and overlook Luke Shaw following an injury to Tino Livramento.

An official statement from England confirmed that Newcastle full-back Livramento had suffered a calf injury during the squad’s training session on Sunday, ruling him out of the entirety of this summer’s World Cup.

Livramento’s devastating setback came just three days out from the Three Lions’ opening group-stage clash with Croatia in Dallas, where the versatile 23-year-old would have been hoping to pick up his sixth senior cap.

Chalobah has been given the nod to replace Livramento in Tuchel’s 26-man party and arrangements have been made for the Chelsea central defender to travel to the team’s basecamp in Kansas City.

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Crunch time beckons for Thomas Tuchel (Picture: FA via Getty Images)

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The 26-year-old – who made his one and only England appearance in a friendly with Senegal last year – is not expected to play a part versus Croatia on Wednesday night.

The somewhat left-field selection came just hours after Harry Maguire voiced his frustrations after being overlooked, with the Manchester United centre-half making no secret of the fact he ‘had a few words’ with Tuchel.

But according to Rooney, Shaw should also feel aggrieved after he was left at home following Livramento’s withdrawal, telling the BBC: ‘It’s a bit strange.

Livramento has been forced to withdraw from England’s World Cup squad (Picture: Getty)

Chalobah has been called up as Livramento’s replacement (Picture: Getty)

‘I would have liked to have seen Luke Shaw.

‘And then Djed Spence maybe being cover for Reece James and Luke Shaw come in.’

‘But I’m sure Thomas Tuchel has kept contact with players to stay available and I’m sure he [Chalobah] was one of those who was available.’

Chalobah made 47 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season but was left as an unused substitute for the side’s loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

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Shaw, meanwhile, played 38 times across Manchester United’s season and looked to be returning to his best following Michael Carrick’s appointment as interim head coach.

But Shaw hasn’t featured for England since his appearance in the side’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, when he was introduced as a substitute at half-time.

The 30-year-old made his senior international debut back in 2014 and has won a total 34 caps at senior level, perhaps most notably in the Euro 2020 final, when he scored a stunning opening goal against Italy.

Shaw’s last appearance for England came in the Euro 2024 final (Picture: Getty)

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Just last month, Rooney put forward a case for Shaw being the ‘most improved player’ in the Premier League across the 2025/26 campaign.

‘I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season,’ the ex-England and Manchester United captain declared on his BBC podcast.

‘I know he’s an experienced player now but I think his level this season has been much better than they have been in recent seasons.

‘People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved.

‘It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.’

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